A protest was held on 04 April 2025 to highlight the ongoing struggle of the people of Sampur, who have been demanding the return of their agricultural lands. These lands were originally acquired by the Sri Lankan government for the construction of a thermal power plant and are now being used for a solar power project. Additionally, lands expropriated by the Sampur Vidura Navy in 2007 were previously returned to the people through a commercial bill introduced by the Mahinda government.
The protest took place tcoinciding with the arrival of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Sri Lanka. It was organized in response to Modi’s scheduled inauguration of the Sampur solar power plant during his visit.
To the Honorable Governor of the Eastern Province
Trincomalee.
The release of public lands in Sampur, Trincomalee District, and ensure right to life!
We, the inhabitants of Sampur West, Sampur East, and Katakaraichenai, within the Muthur
Divisional Secretariat of the Trincomalee District, hereby submit this solemn petition before
your esteemed office on this 4 th day of April, 2025. As a community forcibly displaced by the actions of the government, we respectfully implore the restitution of 1658 acres, 4 rods, and 35.38 perches of our lands—formerly designated for residential and commercial
purposes—which were expropriated pursuant to the regulations of the Sri Lankan
Government. We humbly request your distinguished support in securing the release of these lands, thereby enabling us to restore our right to livelihood and ensure the well-being of our community.
Under the leadership of His Excellency the President, the government formed by the
National People’s Power has, for the first time in Sri Lankan history, secured a decisive
majority. We are resolutely confident that this administration possesses both the
mandate and the capability to address and resolve the myriad challenges and issues
that we, as a community, face.
As you are well aware, the devastating conflict that erupted in 2006, particularly in the
Trincomalee District, led to the displacement of our entire community and severely
disrupted our socio-economic fabric.
In 2006, we were compelled to abandon our homes and were displaced to various
welfare centers across Sri Lanka, as well as to refugee camps abroad, including in
India. The then-government (under the leadership of Mahinda Rajapaksa) flagrantly
contravened existing legal frameworks by declaring our land, comprising 1311 acres, 4
rods, and 35.38 perches, as a high-security zone, as per Gazette Notification No.
1499/25 dated 30.05.2007, thus converting it into state property.
Subsequently, through Gazette Notification No. 1499/25 dated 30th May 2007, the
lands in the Sampur region, originally belonging to the people and designated for
residential and commercial purposes, were converted into state property under the
designation of a high-security zone. Further, on 17th May 2012, under Gazette
Notification No. 1758/26, the government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri
Lanka, pursuant to Section 22A of the Investment Promotion Act No. 4 of 1978, issued
a directive to allocate 818 acres 2 rods and 35.38 perches of land for development.
This directive, signed by the then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, designated the land as a
special zone for heavy industrial development under the Investment Promotion Board.
Notwithstanding these developments, upon the ascension of President Maithripala
Sirisena in 2015, the government rescinded the designation of a special industrial zone
intended for heavy industries. This cancellation was formalized in Gazette Notification
No. 1913/19 dated 07.05.2015, and the displaced persons were resettled on two
occasions (19.08.2025, 25.03.2026).
Furthermore, in our displaced condition, we, the rightful residents of the region, have
had our lands—originally designated for commercial use—partly converted into
residential plots, amounting to 603 acres and 2 rods. This includes 505 acres allocated
for the thermal power plant, 40 acres for the Ceylon Electricity Board, and 58 acres 2
rods acquired for infrastructure development related to the transport of coal and water.
These lands were seized by the government for the operation of the thermal power
plant, without any legal processes or due procedure being followed.
Furthermore, 16 acres of land, designated for the resettlement of 12 families, were
transferred to the Sri Lankan Navy, who established a camp there. Presently, the Navy
occupies 207.52 acres of land, originally belonging to 110 families from Sampur, without
any legal process, further encroaching on our ancestral lands.
Moreover, the lands designated for the second phase of resettlement for the people of
Sampur, amounting to 176 acres of residential plots, were occupied by a naval camp. In
this context, the Navy, having requested alternative plots should they vacate the
people’s lands, was allocated 16 acres, belonging to 12 families in Sampur, through the
coordination of the Muthur Divisional Secretariat.
Despite only being allocated 16 acres, the Navy established a camp on these lands
and, to date, has unlawfully appropriated 207.52 acres, which rightfully belongs to 110
families of Sampur, without adherence to any legal processes or regulations.
Honorable Governor!
The confiscation of our lands and the subsequent allocation of these areas to the Navy
have caused profound disruptions to the lives of the residents of Sampur West, Sampur
East, and Katakaraichenai. For the past 19 years, we have submitted repeated appeals
to various governmental authorities, requesting the return of our rightful lands, but these
appeals have not been acted upon. The 1658 acres, 4 rods, and 35.38 perches of land,
including the 818 acres that remain under government control, continue to be denied to
us.
Moreover, we have been deprived of the 603 acres, 2 rods, and the 207.52 acres
seized by the Navy, leaving our communities in dire circumstances. Without land, we
are unable to pursue livelihoods, and as a result, we remain trapped in a state of
poverty.
We are aware that the current government, under the leadership of the National
People’s Power, has been distributing lands to the people in the northern and eastern
regions, and we are hopeful that our request will be addressed with equal urgency.
Therefore, we respectfully present the following requests for your kind consideration:
Our Requests:
1. We request the return of 818 acres, 2 rods, and 35.38 perches of land, which
was declared state property by Gazette Notification No. 1499/25 dated
30.05.2007, under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act No. 39 of 1. These
lands should be restored to their rightful owners, ensuring justice and the rightful
re-establishment of our livelihoods.
2. We seek the return of the 603 acres, 2 rods of land acquired for the thermal
power plant, and the restoration of 308 acres, 2 rods of land, along with 5
agricultural river basins or rivers, currently used for agricultural purposes. These
lands must be released to restore our livelihoods and secure our right to live.
3. We call for the release of 207 acres of land, which were illegally occupied by the
Sri Lankan Navy, originally belonging to 108 families in Sampur, to be returned
for residential and agricultural use.
We sincerely trust that the government will take swift action to ensure the restoration of
these lands, which are integral to our survival, dignity, and livelihoods.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
The Displaced People of Sampur West, Sampur East, and Katakaraichenai
and the Trincomalee District Land Recovery Network.
Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.
04 th April 2025.
