During the tenure of the past government 818 acre of lands had been vested with the BOI by using a special gazette notification, but after the Hon. Maithripala Sirisena came into power the lands had been taken back to the Government and returned it to the original owners.
Addressing the ceremony, the President said that we cannot expect a development without the blessings of the people.
He further said that he will commit to solve the problems of the people living in North as well as the South without any discrimination.
The President said that he will build a country where people belong to all communities can live in harmony with each other and further said that he will personally look into the wellbeing of the people in the North and East and will commit himself to fulfill the needs of the people living in those areas.
President Sirisena said that the country will be able to take forward as a peaceful country only by giving equal opportunities to every citizen of the country and building peace and reconciliation among the communities.
President Sirisena was warmly welcomed by the people in the Sampur area when he arrived there in today.
President Sirisena first visited the Bhadrakali Amman Kovil and received blessings. The President also engaged in cordial discussion with people in the area.
People informed the President regarding the pertaining problems in the area and the difficulties faced by them due to the shortage of electricity, sanitation and infrastructure facilities.
People living in temporary shelters informed the President regarding the inconveniences they could be faced in the future during the next raining season. After listening to their grievances the President gave directions to relevant authorities to take action to provide speedy reliefs to those who are affected.
President Sirisena symbolically handed over deeds of the lands to 25 persons at this occasion.
The people of Sampur expressed their gratitude to the President for giving them the right of the lands where they born in. They have been facing difficult experience with the loss of their places of living.
The government will give Rs.13, 000.00 for those who received lands to clear them. In addition, they will be provided with Rs.25, 000.00 to build temporary houses while giving them the building materials.
Lot of countries has extended their assistance to build these houses free of charge. They also will help provide electricity, water and other sanitary facilities as well as development of roads. The total number of displaced families in Sampur is 825. President stated that resettlement work for them will be expedited.
Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Governor of the Eastern Province Austin Fernando, Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamad, Rauf Hakeem, Lakshman Kiriella, M. K. D. S. Gunawardena, Daya Gamage, D. M. Swaminathan and R. Sambandan participated in this occasion.
