Web of Life

The government will prepare a national land policy, Plantation Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa told parliament yesterday, rejecting allegations that permission had been given for gem mining in the plantations.

Addressing an adjournment motion on gem mining, the minister said the lack of a national policy on lands was a negative factor in the development of the plantation sector and the government would soon float a cabinet paper in this regard.

Mr. Yapa denied that the state plantation lands were being leased for gem mining but admitted the lack of a state policy on land had led to the government losing land to 20 plantation companies.

He said the plantation companies had asked permission for gem mining in their estates, but permission was not granted because the lands were leased out to the companies to develop the plantations and not to engage in mining.

The minister also dismissed the opinion of the Legal Draughtsman in this regard and said, "Not every decision of the Legal draughtsman is right".

Mr. Yapa said a decision affecting thousands of people should not be left in the hands of a few officials.

He said the committee appointed to look in to the possibilities of mining in plantation lands had been abolished and the government was firm in its decision not to allow mining in plantation lands.

Mr. Yapa made these observations in response to opposition allegations that businessmen like Harry Jayawardena and officials such as Mano Tittawella were influencing the government to take a decision in favour of gem mining in plantation lands.