It has been decided at a high level discussion chaired by the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, to take appropriate action to examine the various complaints being raised regarding Aliyamaruthamadu tank in the Vavuniya Divisional Secretariat Division of Vavuniya District and to reach a systematic and permanent solution to them.
As various complaints regarding Aliyamaruthamadu tank had been continuously submitted by some individuals to various government departments, the Governor had instructed during the progress review meeting of the Provincial Ministry of Agriculture – Northern Province, that the actual situation of the issue should be examined in person and that a solution should be reached through discussions with the people of the area. Accordingly, a field visit was undertaken as the first stage today – on Tuesday 15 September 2026.
During this visit, Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan, Hon. Member of Parliament M. Jegatheeswaran, the Vavuniya District Secretary, the Secretary of the Northern Provincial Ministry of Agriculture, the Additional District Secretary of Vavuniya District, the Vavuniya Divisional Secretary, the Director of the Provincial Irrigation Department, the Deputy Director of Irrigation – Vavuniya, the Deputy Commissioner of Agrarian Development, the Grama Niladhari and the people of the area visited the tank area in person, observed the situation and held discussions with the people.
During this, various complaints were submitted by members of the public and representatives of public organisations regarding alleged disturbances caused by an individual. They also pointed out that other farmers were being affected because activities were being carried out arbitrarily without acting in accordance with the instructions of government departments.
In particular, members of the public and representatives of public organisations brought to the Governor’s attention matters including carrying out sowing arbitrarily even before the meeting for the Maha cultivation was held and opening the water for irrigation using a dummy key.
In addition, the people pointed out issues relating to encroachment and land documentation connected with the Department of Forest Conservation, the poor condition of the roads in the area and the lack of transport services.
Following this, a detailed discussion was held at the Vavuniya District Secretariat with the participation of government officials regarding the issues related to Aliyamaruthamadu tank. During this, various matters including the actions taken so far, the complaints submitted and the issues allegedly caused by an individual were examined.
It was also pointed out during this discussion that approximately 70 acres of land are recorded in the name of the said individual.
Expressing his views during this, Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan stated, ‘Those people should not be affected because they are poor. The lands belonging to them should be given to them’.
Various proposals for resolving this issue in the future were also discussed. Accordingly, the possibility of the Provincial Irrigation Department conducting the preparatory cultivation meeting, followed by the Maha cultivation meeting, was examined.
Attention was also given to taking legal action in accordance with the records of the paddy lands. With the aim of finding a permanent solution to the long standing issue, a proposal was also put forward to acquire the lands under the tank and resolve the matter by distributing them appropriately among all the people.
It was decided to continue taking action to examine all these matters more seriously and to reach a sustainable solution that is legally sound, administratively appropriate and practically feasible.
The discussion was attended by the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province N. Vethanayahan, Hon. Member of Parliament M. Jegatheeswaran, Vavuniya District Secretary P. A. Sarath Chandra, Secretary of the Northern Provincial Ministry of Agriculture S. Sivasri, Additional District Secretaries, the Provincial Director of the Irrigation Department, the Vavuniya Divisional Secretary, the Deputy Director of Irrigation, Vavuniya and the Deputy Commissioner of Agrarian Development, among others.
