• Amendments to be introduced to protect Irrigation Dept. tanks, prevent encroachment  
• Divisional coordination comms. to discuss action on those already living on tank reserve lands

The Government is planning to introduce the necessary legal amendments to protect tank-based reserves and prevent further encroachment by individuals, including politically connected persons, according to the Ministry of Land and Irrigation.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation Dr. Susil Ranasinghe said that a considerable extent of land within tank reserves has been occupied. He said that the absence of clearly marked boundaries for these lands has furthered the issue. “Some people have managed to get deeds issued for these lands. In some cases, they are legal, but, in many others, they have been taken using political influence,” the minister stated.

One of the key issues, he said, is that unlike tanks under the Mahaweli Development Authority, the reserves for tanks managed by the Irrigation Department have not been gazetted as their boundaries are not physically marked. “The extent of the reserve is usually determined by the height of the tank bund and the maximum water level, but this method leads to various issues including the illegal occupation of land,” he said.

In an attempt to resolve the issue, Dr. Ranasinghe said that the ministry has already instructed the Irrigation Department not to allow any new settlements in such areas. “There is some loophole in the Irrigation Ordinance, No. 32 of 1946, when it comes to tank reserves. We know that this is a long process, but we are working on making the necessary legal changes. It’s something that’s already being discussed. It will happen in the near future,” he added.

In addition, he said that discussions would be held at divisional coordination committee meetings to figure out what action needs to be taken regarding those already living on tank reserve lands. “When a Divisional Secretary is issuing a land deed, they must first consult the Irrigation Department to find out whether the land in question falls within a tank reserve. If this step is followed properly, we won’t have to deal with these problems.”