🌊 Special Cabinet Committee to Tackle Land Encroachment and Coastal Damage in East

The Cabinet has approved a special committee and enforcement measures to address illegal land grabbing, unauthorised coastal developments, and land disputes in the Eastern Province. • Core Initiative: Appointment of a dedicated committee titled "Protecting Eastern Province Lands," chaired by Senaka Palliyaguruge, to resolve longstanding land-related conflicts and strengthen state institutional coordination. • Enforcement & Security: A special police unit led by a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) will be established. Security forces will receive full powers to halt politically motivated, unauthorised land acquisitions and reclamation. • Land Reclamation: Land allocated by the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority over 5 years ago that remains undeveloped will be repossessed. These lands will be transferred to Divisional Secretaries to facilitate local development. • Coastal & Tourism Impact: Unauthorised structures have accelerated environmental degradation and soil erosion. A formal plan will be designed to promote coastal tourism while protecting ecosystems and ensuring transparent legal enforcement for hotel operations. • Socio-Economic Context: Based on official briefings, the lack of a comprehensive resettlement program 16 years post-civil war and administrative inconsistencies continue to hinder regional development and impact national security.