• Upon identifying illegal settlers and unauthorised constructions, ongoing programmes 2nd phase will decide on removal    
• Land and Irrigation Ministry says some illegal occupants voluntarily vacated in 1st phase 

The Land and Irrigation Ministry stated that under the programme to remove illegal occupants and unauthorised constructions within tank reserves, the remarking of boundaries is being carried out first, and that a policy decision will be taken thereafter at the second stage regarding the removal of such settlers and structures.

Land and Irrigation Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath told The Daily Morning that the boundary marking is being conducted in collaboration with the Survey Department. “The first phase involves surveying and marking the boundaries. Through this process, we are identifying the illegal settlers and unauthorised constructions within the reserves. It is in the next phase that we take a decision regarding removing them. It is a policy decision.”

He also said that some people have voluntarily vacated these areas during the initial phase, which he described as a positive development.

The Ministry earlier announced plans to introduce legal amendments aimed at protecting tank reserves and preventing further encroachment, including by politically connected individuals. The then-Deputy subject Minister Dr. Susil Ranasinghe said that large portions of land belonging to these reserves had already been occupied, noting that the absence of clearly demarcated boundaries had made it difficult to identify and address illegal settlements. The Ministry had therefore instructed the Irrigation Department not to permit any new settlements in such areas and also decided to amend the Irrigation Ordinance, No. 32 of 1946 to close existing legal loopholes.