Addressing the ceremony Minister Karunatileka said the government had planned to provide deeds to those who would utilise state-owned lands for cultivation and settlements purposes and also for lands belonging to temples and other religious institutions, and government institutions such as hospitals, police stations and schools.

He said, the Uva Wellassa area is replete with natural resources and people who lived there during ancient times, had rendered a yeoman service to build a prosperous country by constructing tanks and cultivating lands to provide food to the country.

"They also built world-famous Buddha statues such as the Maligawila statue. Hence, it is with respect that we distribute these deeds to the kith and kin of the Uva Wellassa region who sacrificed their lives 200 years ago in 1818," the minister said. Minister Karunatileka commended the service rendered by Moneragala District Secretariat officials, Uva Provincial Land officers and Land Ministry officers, for the successful organisation of the programme.

Public Administration and Management Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa and Moneragala District Secretary D. S. Padmakulasuriya also addressed the ceremony.Uva Provincial Council Member Kudabandara Medawela, Land Ministry Secretary R. M. Karunaratthne and other dignitaries were present.