Colombo plans to acquire EPC lands in Trincomalee district

Plans are afoot by Sri Lanka government land ministry to aqquire five hundred and twenty five acres of state land that comes under the administration of the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) in the Kuchchaveli divisional secretariat division in Trincomalee district for the Tourist development Ministry. These lands are located along the coast of Kuchchave'li division. EPC Chief Minister has been urged by several councilors not to allow the acquisition of these lands by Sri Lanka government in the guise of tourist development. They cited that some years ago several acres of state lands under the EPC located between Kappalthu'rai and Paalampaddaa'ru in Trincomalee district were acquired by Sri Lanka government land ministry.About three hundred and fifty acres of state land in Batticaloa district were taken over in Batticaloa district for tourist development some years back. State lands of the EPC should not be allowed to be taken over by Sri Lanka government, Mr. R.Thurairatnam, one of the EPC councilors representing Batticaloa district said in a memorandum sent to the EPC Chief Minister. (TamilNet)