The Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka today (26) informed the Court of Appeal that steps are being taken to return ancestral lands in Rambakan Oya and Pollabedda to the indigenous communities who traditionally occupied them.
The announcement was made during the hearing of a petition filed by the leader of the indigenous community Uruwarige Wannila Aththo and the Environmental Foundation, challenging the allocation of those lands to private companies.
The petition, filed in 2021, contests a decision by the Mahaweli Authority to transfer traditional indigenous lands in Pollabedda and Rambakan Oya to private entities.
During today’s proceedings, the Mahaweli Authority informed court that measures are underway to restore ownership of the relevant lands to the indigenous communities.
Counsel appearing for the petitioners, Dr. Ravindranath Dabare, also reminded court that the petition seeks legal action against those responsible for the land allocations and requests directives for reforestation in areas where forests had allegedly been cleared.
After considering the submissions, the Court of Appeal fixed the petition for further hearing on September 25.
