Land Occupation in the Northern Province and Comments on Steps Required If the GOSL Is Genuine in Its Commitments
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Occupation of Land in the Northern Province March 2016 | Centre for Policy Alternatives REPORT The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is an independent, non-partisan organisation that focuses primarily on issues of governance and conflict resolution. Formed in 1996 in the firm belief that the vital contribution of civil society to the public policy debate is in need of strengthening, CPA is committed LAND OCCUPATIONto programmes IN of researchTHE NORTHERN and advocacy through PROVINCE: which public A COMMENT policy is ARY ON critiqued, alternatives identified and disseminated. GROUND REALITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REFORM Web: www.cpalanka.org Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/cpasl Twitter: @cpasl CENTRE FOR POLICY ALTERNATIVES MARCH 2016 1 Occupation of Land in the Northern Province March 2016 | Centre for Policy Alternatives The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is an independent, non-partisan organisation that focuses primarily on issues of governance and conflict resolution. Formed in 1996 in the firm belief that the vital contribution of civil society to the public policy debate is in need of strengthening, CPA is committed to programmes of research and advocacy through which public policy is critiqued, alternatives identified and disseminated. Address: 6/5 Layards Road, Colombo 5, Sri Lanka Web: www.cpalanka.org Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/cpasl Twitter: @cpasl 2 Occupation of Land in the Northern Province March 2016 | Centre for Policy Alternatives Acknowledgements The report is written by Bhavani Fonseka with support from Luwie Ganeshathasan and Marjorie Tenchavez. Assistance with finalising the report was provided by Thenmozhy Kugamourthy and Subhashini Samaraarachchi. Thevarajah Hensman, Xavier Kishok Croos, Nesarasa Thinesvaran and Vaiththilingam Navatharan supported with field research in the North. Dr. P. Saravanamuttu provided comments on an initial draft with formatting of the report done by Sanjana Hattotuwa and Amalini De Sayrah. CPA would like to thank the British High Commission for financial assistance with the research and printing of report. 3 Occupation of Land in the Northern Province March 2016 | Centre for Policy Alternatives Table of Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 7 2. Government Commitments .................................................................................................................. 8 3. Methodology ............................................................................................................................................... 9 4. What are Reparations? ........................................................................................................................ 10 5. Importance of Land Restitution and Reconciliation ............................................................... 11 6. Current Status of Reparations in Sri Lanka ................................................................................. 12 7. Importance of Ownership and Control of Land in Sri Lanka ............................................... 14 8. Land Mapping Exercise in the Northern Province ................................................................... 15 9. Examples of Reparations in other post-conflict states - Colombia, Bosnia & South Africa ........................................................................................................................................................... 16 COLOMBIA .................................................................................................................................................................. 16 BOSNIA ......................................................................................................................................................................... 17 SOUTH AFRICA.......................................................................................................................................................... 19 10. Recommendations ................................................................................................................................. 21 TO THE GOVERNMENT ......................................................................................................................................... 21 TO CIVIL SOCIETY ................................................................................................................................................... 22 TO DONORS ................................................................................................................................................................ 22 11. ANNEX 1 .................................................................................................................................................... 23 4 Occupation of Land in the Northern Province March 2016 | Centre for Policy Alternatives SRI LANKA - Reference Map Tellippalai Point Pedro Chankanai Karaveddy J A F F N A Bay of Uduvil Bengal Kayts Kopai North Palk Strait Velanai Nallur Chavakachcheri Jaffna Maruthankerny Pallai Marelithurai Kandavalai Kilinochchi K I L I N O C H C H I Puthukudiyiruppu Palk Bay Mullaittivu MMUULLLAATTTTIIVVUU Tunukkai Oddusuddan INDIA Kokkilai Mannar N O R T H E R N Lagoon Adampam Padavi Siripura Gulf of Madhu Padawiya ya Mannar M A N N A R O Kuchchaveli an VAV U N I YA Y Silavatturai Vavuniya Gomarankadawala Kebitigollewa Elevation (meters) 5,000 and above Morawewa Trincomalee 4,000 - 5,000 Mahawilachchiya Horowupotana Tampalakamam Koddiyar Bay A N U R A D H A P U R A Periyakinniya 3,000 - 4,000 Mutur N O R T H C E N T R A L 2,500 - 3,000 Mihintale Seruvila 2,000 - 2,500 Anuradhapura Galenbindunuwewa T R I N C O M A L E E 1,500 - 2,000 Nochchiyagama A Ka r Kalpitiya la u Verukal O v 1,000 - 1,500 ya Nachchaduwa i A Vannatavillu r 800 - 1,000 Puttalam u Lagoon PUTTALAM 600 - 800 Karuwalagaswewa Palugaswewa P O L O N N A R U WA Kekirawa 400 - 600 Puttalam Lankapura Nawagattegama Kudagalnewa 200 - 400 Welikanda 0 - 200 Anamaduwa a Polonnaruwa y Mahakumbukkadawala O Below sea level Dambulla a Mundal r Mundel u Lake P U T TA L A M d Elahera a B AT T I C A L O A Batticaloa Pallama Deduru Oya M Arachchikattuwa M ATA L E Madura Oya Chilaw N O R T H W E S T E R N Reservoir E A S T E R N a g Madampe Matale n Kurunegala a Maha Oya Pahala Mahawewa G i l Kalmunai Nattandiya e C E N T R A L w Sammanthurai Saintamaruthu Wennappuwa a a Oya h Uhana Nintavur h a a Kandy Ampara Dankotuwa M M Irakkamam Addalachenai Negombo Kegalle K A N D Y ya l O Akkaraipattu Negombo Ga Lagoon K E G A L L E Bibile SRI LANKA Thirukkovil Gampaha Senanayake Kelani A M PA R A Ganga Badulla Samudra GAMPAHA Nuwara Eliya Medagama Colombo Udumulla B A D U L L A Badalkumbura Pottuvil SRI JAYEWARDENEPURA KOTTE N U WA R A Moneragala E L I YA Lahugala Haputale Buttala W E S T E R N Rathnapura Wellawaya U VA anga a G g n u al a K MMOONNEERRAAGGAALLAA Okanda K S A B A R A G A M U WA G i Indian r Kalutara e i K A L U TA R A n w Ocean a d l i R AT H N A P U R A a O Beruwala W y Kumana Tanamalwila a Kataragama Legend National capital G A L L E H A M B A N T O TA First admin level capital Ambalangoda S O U T H E R N Kirinda Second admin level capital Udugama Populated places M ATA R A Hambantota International boundary Galle First admin level boundary Laccadive Tangalla Sea Matara Second admin level boundary Disclaimers: The designations employed and the presentation of material on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Map data sources: CGIAR, United Nations Cartographic Section, ESRI, Europa Technologies, UN OCHA. 5 Occupation of Land in the Northern Province March 2016 | Centre for Policy Alternatives Acronyms CPA Centre for Policy Alternatives FARC Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) GOSL Government of Sri Lanka HSZ High Security Zone IDMC Internal Monitoring Displacement Centre IDP Internally Displaced Person/s LAA Land Acquisition Act LLRC Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission NIRP National Involuntary Resettlement Policy NLC National Land Commission PLIP Property Law and Implementation Plan (Bosnia) RRC Reparations and Rehabilitations Committee (South Africa) TRC Truth and Reconciliation Commission (South Africa) UDHR Universal Declaration of Human Rights UNHRC United Nations Human Rights Council 6 Occupation of Land in the Northern Province March 2016 | Centre for Policy Alternatives 1. Introduction Land is a key issue for reconciliation in Sri Lanka. Throughout the years, during the near three-decade war, post tsunami and post war period, land has played a prominent role in local and national efforts with regards to coexistence, durable solutions and reconciliation. The prevalence of active hostilities, land mines, high security zones and other zones such as development, economic and industrial zones resulted in tens of thousands being displaced from their homes and lands, some multiple times. Since the end of the war, many displaced from their lands have been able to return to their places of origin, although concerns remain regarding durable solutions and related issues. Durable solutions are critical for reconciliation efforts, which must