Vanni District Parliamentarian Thurairasa Ravikaran has accused the Forest Department of being a “gang of thieves” engaged in the unlawful seizure of Tamil people’s lands.
Highlighting the scale of the issue, Ravikaran claimed that only 222,006 acres of dense forest were under the Forest Department’s control in Mullaitivu in the past, whereas following the end of the war, 432,141 acres are now under its control.
He made the remarks during the Vavuniya–Settikulam Divisional Development Coordinating Committee meeting held yesterday, while discussions were underway regarding the release of lands currently under the control of the Sri Lankan Forest Department.
Ravikaran said the Forest Department, along with the Archaeological Department, Department of Wildlife Conservation and Mahaweli Authority, was actively involved in occupying lands belonging to the Tamil people.
He said he had previously warned Deputy Minister Samarasinghe and government MPs from the Vanni District that institutions involved in taking people’s lands would ultimately undermine the National People’s Power government.
Ravikaran urged Deputy Minister and Development Committee Chairman Upali Samarasinghe to take firm action against what he described as the Forest Department’s aggressive and unlawful activities
He alleged that the department had encroached on people’s lands by placing boundary markers, including paddy fields and lands used for subsidiary food crops.
“If people’s agricultural lands are taken over in this manner, what are the farmers who depend on those lands supposed to do?” he questioned.
Ravikaran called on Deputy Minister Samarasinghe to take appropriate action against the alleged encroachment and return agricultural lands to their rightful owners.
He further alleged that the Forest Department takes legal action against villagers for cutting small trees for agricultural purposes, while complaints have been received alleging that the department facilitates the destruction of large forest areas in exchange for bribes.
“We are only asking you to protect our Vanni region,” Ravikaran said, urging the authorities to demonstrate action against the Forest Department’s activities rather than merely expressing opposition.
“What does the Forest Department need the people’s agricultural lands for? Return our farmers’ lands to them and enable them to cultivate their own land and sustain their livelihoods,” he said.
Ravikaran concluded by describing the Forest Department as a “gang stealing people’s lands” and called for firm action against its alleged encroachment.
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