MONLAR Presents Comprehensive Reform Plan as Government Addresses Uma Oya Crisis

Approximately 15,000 farming families across the Badulla and Monaragala districts remain displaced due to the Uma Oya Multi-Purpose Development Project, which was forcibly implemented by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government in collaboration with Iran.

The affected families reside in the Divisional Secretariat areas of Bandarawela, Hali Ela, Welimada, Uvaparanagama, Ella, and Wellawaya. The project has caused severe water shortages due to major water leakages from underground tunnel construction, completely drying up water sources including wells. This has led to the destruction of agricultural lands including paddy fields, destabilization of land causing damage to homes and property, leaving many people homeless.

Inadequate Compensation and Resettlement Issues

Beyond the environmental damage, families directly displaced by land acquisition for the project have not received adequate compensation. Irregularities in resettlement processes and the failure to provide alternative agricultural lands to displaced farmers have created numerous challenges for the affected communities.

Government Response

In response to this crisis, the current government has appointed a Cabinet Sub-Committee to resolve the unresolved issues stemming from the Uma Oya project. The committee is chaired by Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha, with other members including Dr. Dhammika Patabandi, Minister of Environment, Kumara Jayakody, Minister of Energy, and Samanta Vidyaratne, Minister of Plantation and Community-based Facilities.

On June 26, 2025, the Cabinet Sub-Committee conducted a field visit to areas affected by the Uma Oya project and held a public meeting to gather opinions from affected communities.

MONLAR Proposals

During this occasion, the Movement for Land and Agriculture Reforms (MONLAR) and the Uva Provincial People’s Planning Forum jointly participated and presented a written series of proposals to resolve the problems faced by people affected by the project.

Key Recommendations Include:

Immediate Relief and Compensation:

• Review and address all irregularities in displacement and resettlement of affected families
• Establish a compensation review committee to investigate corruption and irregularities in compensation payments
• Implement a proper methodology to provide correct compensation to displaced people on a priority basis

Land Rights and Documentation:

• Provide immediate solutions to land ownership issues for families who lost land due to the project
• Formalize the process of providing documentation to confirm land ownership rights

Environmental Management:

• Establish a special technical committee for the entire project
• Implement an environmental management plan to protect watershed areas
• Execute an elephant management plan

Sustainable Agriculture:

• Establish infrastructure for sustainable agricultural methods for all destroyed agricultural lands
• Implement agricultural methods based on agroforestry and ecological farming concepts
• Create long-term and short-term crop systems that protect soil and water

Water Management:

• Study natural water system-based irrigation methods
• Restore the free water rights of people who lost agricultural and drinking water

Future Project Phases:

• Conduct a complete review of the current project before implementing second and third phases
• Establish a legal commission with representation from all stakeholders, including farmer organizations and mass organizations, to oversee all project activities and future planning

Call for Accountability

MONLAR emphasizes that the current government, which was a major participant in the Uma Oya people’s struggle, has an unavoidable responsibility to implement long-term, sustainable, and alternative rural economic development programs to prevent the destruction caused by the Uma Oya Multi-Purpose Development Project.

The success of these initiatives will depend on continued public pressure and monitoring to ensure that this committee does not become merely another ineffective Cabinet sub-committee, but rather delivers meaningful solutions to the affected communities.