Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2016-11-22

Land Subsidence at Achchuveli in the Jaffna District

- A land subsidence incidence in the farming lands of the Achchuveli area has been reported and cracks developing on the ground in the affected location over a prolonged period have also been noticed. Since the land in the area is composed of limestone it is prone to form cavities and caverns. Therefore, the proposal made by Hon. D.M. Swaminathan, the Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs, for the National Building Research Organization to make a further study to clarify and confirm the cause of this situation, to enable decision making with regard to the future land use and development taking into consideration the sinking of land would have long-term repercussions on land use practices and human settlements in future, was approved by the Cabinet.