Farmers in Welimada protest 15-year delay in compensation By Arundathie Abeysinghe
Welimada Farmers (Central Province) who lost their lands in 2011 (a 15-year delay) due to the Puhulpola Reservoir in Welimada have protested demanding compensation. Under the project, two dams were constructed at Mathetilla and Dyraaba (a joint project between Sri Lanka and Iran) at a cost of Rs 76.3 billion to divert water through two tunnels. More than 15 years have passed, but the compensation payments have been delayed. According to farmers, their economy has collapsed due to this issue. Hence, they are currently protesting demanding compensation. Public has already benefited from the projects, although, the promised compensation payments have been delayed to date. Despite its benefits, the project has led to significant displacement and property damage, including many residents grappling with unresolved issues.
The initiative aims to address grievances stemming from land and property losses caused by the project’s implementation.
According to farmers in Welimada, “when the land was acquired, a Cabinet paper was submitted regarding the payment of compensation for the paddy fields that were acquired for the project and we were promised two and half acres from Handapanagala in Wellawaya (Uva Province) and a payment of Rs 8,000 each for 12 months for cultivation in those lands. We were also promised supply of water through the Uma Oya Project. Yet, we have not been provided the lands promised up to now. Our economy has collapsed and we are unable to give a proper education for our children, and therefore we are demanding that our compensation be paid. Currently, majority of farmers have given up farming. Youths have gone overseas seeking greener pastures. Elderly residents are still awaiting compensation and living in the area. During the past 15 years, many governments came into power, yet our issue was not solved despite promises during the election period.”
As revealed by T.M.M.P. P Tennakoon, Treasurer of a farmer organisation of whose lands were acquired, “we were already into cultivation for three years when our lands were taken over. We were promised two and half acres of land from Wellawaya and were later informed that instead of the land, we would be paid compensation. According to calculations, they will be paying only Rs 4,500 for a perch which is equal to the price of 25 kilograms of rice which is not sufficient to the loss incurred. The land acquired from residents had a value of Rs. 100,000 a perch. Although, government estimates are less than the real value of the land, we were not paid any amount up to now.”
According to R M Dhanapala, Secretary of the organisation of farmers “18 acres of land from 139 families were taken over with an assurance that we would be given two acres each from Handapanagala. Later, we were informed that land was not available and we would be paid compensation at the rate of Rs 1.2 million for an acre. An appeal board was due to be set up at the Badulla District Secretariat, yet, that did not take place. We have taken up the issue to the Human Rights Commission, too, where government officials acknowledged that a higher compensation should be paid, but it was not put into practice.”
According to officials of the Divisional Secretary for Uva Paranagama “a new appeal by affected persons will be submitted to the Cabinet Sub-Committee which has been set up to resolve the issue.”
According to senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, “public engagement will be taking place next month at Welimada, where officials will be receiving complaints and concerns from affected individuals. Hence, the affected individuals may receive compensation before the end of the year.”
