Govt. to allocate land in Kebiliththa Forest Reserve to chena farmers

By Sumanasiri Gunatileka   

The government has decided to alienate land in Kebiliththa Forest Reserve in Kotiyagala in Siyambalanduwa to the farmers who had  been engaging in Chena cultivation.   

Monaragala District Secretary A.A. Nishantha, who met the  relevant officials, instructed them to carry out a survey of land to be  issued to the farmers.   

The meeting was held under the Chairmanship of District Parliamentarian Ajith Shantha.   

Parliamentarian pointed out that Siyambalanduwa Divisional  Secretariat has reported that 1,237 farmers claim to have cultivated land  in Kebiliththa forest reserve, but according to the statistics of the  Forest Conservation Department, the number of farmers occupying land in  the forest reserve is only 446.   

“The relevant officials should put their heads together  and sort out this issue and identify the farmers entitled to land with  the help of the. Grama Niladharies. The Survey Department should survey  the blocks of land to be alienated. This programme should be completed  before next June,” he said.   

Several senior officials, including Addl. District  Secretary M.M.Wijenayaka, Survey Superintendent N.T.Nagahawatta, and  District Conservator of Forests were present at the occasion.