Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi stated that proposals to release approximately 200,000 acres of land currently under the control of the Forest Conservation and Wildlife Departments in the Northern and Eastern provinces will soon be submitted to the Cabinet. The Northern Province Governor, N. Vethanayahan, welcomed this announcement, which aims to restore the residential lands and livelihoods of the people. This was said during a special discussion held today (16.10.2026) at the Governor’s Secretariat, with the participation of both the Environment Minister and the Governor.
During the discussion, the Governor and relevant sectorial officials highlighted the long-term difficulties faced by the public since 2012 due to these lands being brought under the said departmental control. They also pointed out delays, especially in obtaining approval for road and irrigation development works. In particular, they explained in detail the issues caused by failing to get timely approval for essential tasks, such as restoring tanks, raising dam heights, and clearing river paths.
Responding to this, the Minister instructed that approvals from the departments should be obtained during the initial planning stages. He also advised creating a WhatsApp group consisting of relevant parties to quickly coordinate urgent maintenance work. Further, the Minister emphasized setting up a committee to resolve boundary issues related to tanks and to identify pasture lands for livestock within the 200,000 acres to be released.
