The present government has commenced the implementation of a sugar-cane plantation project in Uva Wellassa after receiving the approval of the cabinet, member of the central committee of the ‘Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’ (JVP), Samantha Vidyaratne says.

He stated this at the JVP press conference held today (08).

The sugar-cane plantation project was proposed by the previous government in 2006. In December of 2006, Milroy Fernando received cabinet approval to grant 65,000 acres of Uva Wellassa to Booker Tate, a British firm.

However, the project was abandoned when the public protested.

Samantha Vidyaratne expressed his disapproval at the present government’s attempt to reestablish this previously abandoned project.

He stated that ruins of the area that bear archeological value would be threatened under this plantation project.

According to Vidyaratne, the government has proposed to distribute land amongst 8000 – 10,000 farmers under the sugar-cane plantation project, such that each farmer receives a land area of 2.5 hectares – a total of 25,000 hectares.

Land in the areas of Loonugala, Maha-oya, Padiyathalawa, Badulla, Rideemaliyadda, Mahiyangana, Moneragala, Bibile and Madagalla would be used for the plantation.

The land will be given to the farmers on the condition that they cultivate sugar cane in 2 hectares out of the 2.5 allocated.

Vidyaratne stated that the government was attempting to turn the farming population of our country into hired workers of a foreign company.

He forewarned that the government was attempting to repeat what happened in Pelwatte, Sevanagala and Hingurana in the 80s, and chase away the farmers that do not comply with their conditions.