Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the government is extensively discussing the Thaiyitti land dispute and is taking all necessary measures to ensure that lands belonging to the public are duly handed over to the people, and lands belonging to the temple are properly allocated to the temple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elaborating further on the issue, the Minister mentioned that several rounds of discussions have been conducted with key stakeholders, including the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Fisheries, the Northern Province Governor, the District Secretary, and the Divisional Secretary, to reach a permanent solution to the Thaiyitti land issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, discussions were held with local residents claiming ownership of the land. Following these discussions, officials recently visited the Valikamam-Thaiyitti area to carry out land survey activities, Minister Senevi noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, due to a minor disruption that occurred on that day, the surveying work could not be fully completed. The Minister stated that steps will be taken to revisit the area shortly with officials to conclude the land survey operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pointing out that official records regarding the temple in question trace back to the 1972 land survey documents, he noted that Venerable Jinthota Nandarama Thero continues to foster harmonious co-existence with the local residents. He emphasized that the government’s aim is to resolve the dispute amicably without causing harm to anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs further criticized certain groups for attempting to create a false impression of racial or social disharmony in the region for political gain, assuring that legal demarcation and allocation of lands to both the residents and the temple are underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi affirmed that the government plans to ignore political self-interests, properly measure and demarcate the lands, and officially hand them over to their rightful owners with legal documentation.<\/p>\n