The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, I reply as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) Since 1982, the Land Reform Commission has granted land lots to its serving employees under an Employee Welfare Scheme, with recoveries made from employees. (ii) According to records from 2007 to 11.04.2025, deeds have been issued under the deed-granting procedure to 395 employees. (iii) [A full report will be presented.] (iv) The Land Reform Commission, established under the Land Reform Law, No. 1 of 1972, has, over its 51-year history, been mandated to undertake measures for national development and social welfare. Under section 44(e) of the Law, provision exists for measures towards employee welfare, including the establishment of a provident/welfare fund, provision of recreational facilities, and housing and hostel facilities. As long-term provision of housing/hostels proved costly, from the early 1980s, applying section 44(e) read with section 22(a), the Commission implemented a scheme to provide land lots for employees to build houses. Accordingly, during 1982–1984, land lots were allocated to serving employees of the Commission and deeds issued. Typically, around 40 perches were granted per employee. Subsequently, in 2005, following a discussion held on 20.09.2005 between the then subject Minister and representatives of the trade unions and welfare association of the Commission, it was agreed that… [continues].