PM accuses public officials of helping to destroy paddy fields

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratna addressing the debate on Land Development (Amendment) Act in the Parliament yesterday said some public officials were helping to fill the paddy lands.

Filling wet lands of paddy fields is illegal in Sri Lanka. According to the laws, not only the land filling can be prevented but also persons who own such land can be ordered to return them to wet lands as earlier, legal experts point out.

However, some paddy land owners fill their fields that are in prime locations and sell them for building constructions.

The PM also highlighted the need for safeguarding the rights of the tenant farmers.

(Colombo Page)