A serious issue affecting the Tamil population in Sri Lanka’s northern and eastern provinces has been the seizure of privately owned lands by state institutions such as the military, police, and various government departments overseeing archaeology, forestry, wildlife, and coastal conservation.
The latest development in this regard was Gazette Notification No. 2430/25, issued on March 28, 2025, under the Land Settlement Ordinance. It stated that if no claims were made for lands listed in specific district schedules (Kilinochchi, Jaffna, Mullaitheevu, Mannar) within three months, these lands would be declared state property.
Extent & Geographic Significance
– A total of 5,941 acres were included in the Gazette.
– Jaffna:3,669 acres
– Mullaitheevu:1,703 acres
– Kilinochchi:515 acres
– Mannar:54 acres
– Vavuniya, the only landlocked district, was exempted.
A striking pattern emerges—the lands cited are coastal areas, raising suspicions about whether they are being earmarked for future projects involving external influence in Tamil regions.
Concerns About Lack of Tamil Notification
One of the most controversial aspects was the initial gazette notification being published only in Sinhala and English, despite the lands being Tamil-owned and located in Tamil-speaking regions.
The failure to publish in Tamilmeant owners wouldn’t have been aware, leading to **land forfeiture by default if no claims were made within three months.
For over a month, the Tamil community remained unaware until journalist N. Logathayaalan uncovered the Gazette in May 2025, publishing the first report on May 1. Curiously, the Gazette was then translated and published in Tamil on May 2.
Political Impact & Local Elections
The timing of the Gazette impacted the May 6 local elections. The National People’s Power (NPP) party, which had performed well in Tamil areas during parliamentary elections, suddenly faced backlash over accusations of a secret land grab.
– An NPP MP from Jaffna denied the existence of the Gazette, further fueling distrust.
– Election results showed a decline in support for the NPP in the North and East.
Public Outcry & Diplomatic Pressure
– Tamil & Muslim MPs raised concerns in Parliament, calling for the Gazette’s revocation.
– Tamil politicians took the issue to foreign diplomats, alerting Western embassies in Colombo.
– Ilankai Thamil Arasuk Katchi (ITAK) launched legal clinics to assist affected landowners.
– ITAK planned a civil disobedience campaign against the land acquisition.
In response, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya convened a meeting with Northern and Eastern MPs, along with Land Minister K.D. Lal Kantha, to discuss the issue.
Government Response & Unresolved Concerns
On May 27, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation announced that the Gazette would be revoked after consulting the Attorney General.
– Minister Lal Kantha confirmed the revocation, promising an official announcement soon.
– Tamil leaders welcomed the decision, and ITAK postponed its civil disobedience campaign.
However, weeks passed without formal revocation, creating doubts the government’s true intentions.
With the June 28 deadline approaching, fears grew that the Tamil community was being lulled into complacency, while the state quietly prepared to acquire the lands
Legal Action: Supreme Court Petition
Faced with continued uncertainty, former Jaffna MP & ITAK Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran filed a Fundamental Rights petition (SC FR 112/2025) in the Supreme Court on June 12, 2025.
The petition challenges the legality of the Gazette, citing concerns over land rights violations and procedural misconduct.
Respondents in the Case:
1. Land Commissioner General
2. Commissioner of Land Title Settlement
3. Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land & Irrigation
4. Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land & Irrigation
5. Commissioner of Provincial Land Administration (Northern Province)
6-9. District Secretaries (Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitheevu, Mannar)
10. Attorney General of Sri Lanka
The controversial land acquisition issue remains unresolved, with fears that the Gazette will be enforced unless legally overturned. The case highlights concerns about transparency, governance, and potential covert land appropriation in Tamil-majority areas.
( Thus us an summarise version of a longer article written by D.B.S. Jeyaraj and published in the Daily FT. )