Land deeds distributed to over 3,000 Mahaweli farmers

President Mahinda Rajapaksa over the weekend distributed land deeds to 3,000 farmer families in the Mahaweli L zone under the theme ‘Farmland Rights for you who give golden harvest to the nation’, at a ceremony held at the Sampath Nuwara Mahaweli grounds in the former conflict-affected Weli Oya.

Addressing a large gathering, President Rajapaksa said that the Government is planning to hold elections to the Northern Provincial Council shortly, most likely in September. He said that this will be the first time, Provincial Council elections will be held in the Northern Province, since the PC system came into existence under the 13th amendment to the Constitution in 1987.

The President also recalled how terrorism brought untold hardships to the people of the area where many were killed and some others fled due to continuous attacks by the terrorists.

President Rajapaksa said his Government has no differences and everyone and all areas are treated equally with the aim of providing equal opportunities and facilities to all. And today smiles were back in the faces where there was only pain and everyone was enjoying the peace dividend.

He said farmers can now go about their livelihoods freely and the Government has restored the destroyed infrastructure and cultivations were thriving once again. However, he noted that some were quick to forget the past and the unprecedented destruction caused by terrorists.

President Rajapaksa said devoid of past difficulties and with increased assistance, the Mahaweli movement was now going through a golden era under the present government and the farming community was able to live with dignity.

The President also requested farmer families to use the land given to them productively without resorting to selling or mortgaging it. “Do not become a servant of your own land,” he said.

While lending an ear to their problems, the President assured to find an immediate solution to the teacher shortage in the Weli Oya area. He also advised the farmers not to become addicted to intoxicants such as alcohol and tobacco and thereby endanger the future well being of their children and family.

Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva speaking at the occasion said round 63,000 Mahaweli farmer families will receive land deeds this year.

The President also distributed organic fertiliser production kits to the farmers after the meeting. He mingled with the large crowd and inquired about their expectations and needs.

Ministers Gunaratne Weerakoon and Rishard Bathuideen, Deputy Minister W.B. Ekanayake, Wanni district SLFP organiser Premarathne Sumathipala and Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority Director General Gamini Rajakaruna were also present at the occasion.

Including Minister Tissa Karaliyadda, North Central Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith, Governor Karunaratne Divulgane, Northern Governor Major General G.A. Chandrasiri, Deputy Minister S.M. Chandrasena and political leaders, the land deed recipients and the public were present.