President hands over land deeds to 234 families in Sampur

A ceremony was held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena to hand over land deeds to 234 war-displaced families in Sampur on Saturday.

During the tenure of the past government, 818 acres of land had been vested with the BOI through a special gazette notification, but after President Sirisena came to power the land had been taken back by the Government and returned to its original owners.

Speaking at the ceremony, the President said that we could not expect development without the blessings of the people.

He further stated that he would commit himself to solving the problems of the people living in the North and South without any discrimination.

The President said that he would build a country where people belonging to all communities could live in harmony with each other and added the he would personally look into the wellbeing of the people in the North and East and would commit himself to fulfilling the needs of the people living in those areas.

President Sirisena said that the country would be able to progress as a peaceful nation only by affording equal opportunities to every citizen and building peace and reconciliation amongst communities.

President Sirisena was warmly welcomed by the people of Sampur when he arrived there.

President Sirisena first visited the Bhadrakali Amman Kovil and received blessings. The President also engaged in cordial discussionS with people in the area.

The people informed the President about the problems in the area and the difficulties faced by them due to the shortage of electricity, sanitation and infrastructure facilities.

People living in temporary shelters informed the President about the inconvenience they could face in the future during the next rainy season. After listening to their grievances, the President gave directions to the relevant authorities to take action to provide effective relief to those affected.

President Sirisena symbolically handed over land deeds to 25 persons at the occasion.

The people of Sampur expressed their gratitude to the President for giving them ownership of the lands they were born in. 

The Government will give Rs. 13, 000.00 to those who received lands in order for them to clear them. In addition, they will be provided with Rs. 25,000 to build temporary houses while giving them the building materials.

Lots of countries have extended their assistance to build these houses free of charge. They will also help provide electricity, water and other sanitary facilities as well as develop roads. The total number of displaced families in Sampur is 825. 

The President stated that resettlement work would be expedited. Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Governor of the Eastern Province Austin Fernando, Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamad, Rauf Hakeem, Lakshman Kiriella, M.K.D. S. Gunawardena, Daya Gamage, D. M. Swaminathan and R. Sambandan were present at the occasion.