The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to a proposal to launch a special program aimed at preventing illegal land grabbing, unauthorized land filling and unlawful coastal constructions in the Eastern Province.

The proposal in this regard was submitted by the President. As part of the initiative, a special committee will be appointed to address land-related issues in the province and to strengthen coordination among relevant state institutions for faster resolution, the Department of Government Information said in a statement.

The committee will be chaired by former Southern Province Land Commissioner and current Local Government Commissioner Senaka Palliyaguruge. It will include representatives from relevant government agencies.

Additionally, authorities have decided to establish a special police unit headed by a Deputy Inspector General of Police to curb unauthorized land acquisitions and land filling activities allegedly carried out through political influence or personal connections.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority has decided to reclaim lands previously allocated for commercial purposes five years ago or earlier, where no development projects have been initiated to date.

The reclaimed lands will be handed over to Divisional Secretaries and utilized under a formal mechanism for development activities benefiting local communities.

Furthermore, a special plan is to be formulated to promote tourism in the Eastern coastal region while ensuring the protection of its environmental ecosystem, the statement added further.