Briefing Of Kalpitiya Land issue
Kalpitiya
Kalpitiya,
is a peninsula in Puttlam district which comprises of 14 main islands. It
separates the Puttlam lagoon from the Indian Ocean. The 14 islands have a total
landmass of 4133.19 acres.
is a peninsula in Puttlam district which comprises of 14 main islands. It
separates the Puttlam lagoon from the Indian Ocean. The 14 islands have a total
landmass of 4133.19 acres.
Approximately
64,908 people (2009 Census) live in Kalpitiya and 12,967 are engaged in
small-scale fishers, and with 25% of women engaged in fishing-related
activities.
64,908 people (2009 Census) live in Kalpitiya and 12,967 are engaged in
small-scale fishers, and with 25% of women engaged in fishing-related
activities.
Uchchimunai,
keerimundanam, mohottuwaaram islands are the most affected by this fisherman
hotelier conflict.
keerimundanam, mohottuwaaram islands are the most affected by this fisherman
hotelier conflict.
2003 Approximately 1000 acres of lands in Kalpitiya were
taken over by the government affecting nearly 2500 families.
taken over by the government affecting nearly 2500 families.
2004 Pursuant to a cabinet decision
in 2004, 4000 acres of private lands were acquired by the state.
in 2004, 4000 acres of private lands were acquired by the state.
2005 The proposal to acquire the
fishermen‘s lands was initially approved as an enactment through the Tourism
Act No.38 of 2005.
fishermen‘s lands was initially approved as an enactment through the Tourism
Act No.38 of 2005.
2007,
2008 Lands in Kalpitiya were
declared as a Tourist Development Area by Extraordinary Gazette Notification
No. 1508 / 18 dated 01 August 2007 and No. 1549 / 7 dated 13 May 2008.
2008 Lands in Kalpitiya were
declared as a Tourist Development Area by Extraordinary Gazette Notification
No. 1508 / 18 dated 01 August 2007 and No. 1549 / 7 dated 13 May 2008.
In 2008 the government
initiated “Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Resort Project (KITRP) with the intention of
promoting tourist attractions. The objective of this project was to find
investors willing to fund hotels and infrastructure
projects for the 14 island. To achieve this goal, lands were leased to [foreign]
investors on 30- to 50-year leases.
initiated “Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Resort Project (KITRP) with the intention of
promoting tourist attractions. The objective of this project was to find
investors willing to fund hotels and infrastructure
projects for the 14 island. To achieve this goal, lands were leased to [foreign]
investors on 30- to 50-year leases.
According
to the tourism development plan, seventeen hotels with a total capacity of 5000
rooms are to be built.
to the tourism development plan, seventeen hotels with a total capacity of 5000
rooms are to be built.
2011 In September, National Fisheries solidarity Movement (NAFSCO) held a
demonstration with the support of “Praja Abhilasha Network” and
“Peoples’ Alliance for Right to Lands” demanding to protect their
land rights.
demonstration with the support of “Praja Abhilasha Network” and
“Peoples’ Alliance for Right to Lands” demanding to protect their
land rights.
International Fact
Finding mission was conducted by Food sovereignty Network of South Asia on
Kalpitiya Land grabbing.
Finding mission was conducted by Food sovereignty Network of South Asia on
Kalpitiya Land grabbing.
2012 In
January, “Praja Abhilashi network” (PA) organized a “Peoples
Tribunal”.
January, “Praja Abhilashi network” (PA) organized a “Peoples
Tribunal”.
In August,
the Uchchimunei island community discussed with the District Secretary of the
area to take necessary steps to register and settle them in the same island.
the Uchchimunei island community discussed with the District Secretary of the
area to take necessary steps to register and settle them in the same island.
In October, another
demonstration held in Colombo demanding to protect their rights for lands.
demonstration held in Colombo demanding to protect their rights for lands.
A
demonstration and a meeting held in Kandakuliya on the 21st November
2012 marking ‘The world Fisheries’ day’. Communities lived in the islands signed
post cards sent them to President demanding to reconsider the decision to lease
out Kalpitiya islands for tourism projects.
demonstration and a meeting held in Kandakuliya on the 21st November
2012 marking ‘The world Fisheries’ day’. Communities lived in the islands signed
post cards sent them to President demanding to reconsider the decision to lease
out Kalpitiya islands for tourism projects.
2013 On
the 16th of March 2013, the then deputy economic development
minister, met the fisher representatives of island communities. The aim of the
meeting was to identify the issues faced by the communities due to the
Kalpitiya tourism project and to introduce the development program.
the 16th of March 2013, the then deputy economic development
minister, met the fisher representatives of island communities. The aim of the
meeting was to identify the issues faced by the communities due to the
Kalpitiya tourism project and to introduce the development program.
The same
deputy minister sought assistance from the Kalpitiya parish priest Rev. Fr.
Michael Fernando to educate people and gather alternative proposals to remedy
the issues faced by the fisher communities.
deputy minister sought assistance from the Kalpitiya parish priest Rev. Fr.
Michael Fernando to educate people and gather alternative proposals to remedy
the issues faced by the fisher communities.
2014- Conducted a Survey
on Kalpitiya Land grabbing by NAFSO/STP/PA and published a book named “Dark
Clouds over the Sun shine Paradise”
on Kalpitiya Land grabbing by NAFSO/STP/PA and published a book named “Dark
Clouds over the Sun shine Paradise”
2015- Dark Clouds
over the Sun shine Paradise was published in Berlin at ITB.
over the Sun shine Paradise was published in Berlin at ITB.
In June, Round Table
discussion was conducted on Kalpitiya issue based on the Report Dark Clouds
over the Sun shine Paradise. Hoteliers, travel operators and travel agents were
present.
discussion was conducted on Kalpitiya issue based on the Report Dark Clouds
over the Sun shine Paradise. Hoteliers, travel operators and travel agents were
present.
2016 In Feb-03, Round Table
discussion was conducted with Hoteliers, travel operators, travel agents and tourism
ministry and Tourism board representatives were present.
discussion was conducted with Hoteliers, travel operators, travel agents and tourism
ministry and Tourism board representatives were present.
