When the Hambantota Wild Elephant Management Reserve was gazetted, it was revealed that 3600 acres or 1384 hectares of land had been looted by political allies of this government.
This information is stated in an article published in today’s newspaper published on April 28. According to the information provided by the Wildlife Department on February 22, 2021, 25726.55 hectares of land has been set aside for the Elephant Reserve.
However, according to the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2222/62 issued on 9th April 2021 it has been reduced to 23746.55 hectares which is a decreas of 1384 hectares. This area has been seperated from the section of the Southern Expressway from Andarawewa to Hambantota.
It has been revealed that 1384 hectares have been seized by political allies, the powerful and the rich. The article further reveals that those who have seized the land in the area also run several quarries.
