The Hon. Sudath Balagalla

¶ 01 Grant of State Land in Mahiyanganaya Town to Mr. Y. M. Rathnapala on Lease: Details

¶ 02 Question to the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation:

¶ 03 (a) Is he aware that: (i) the foundation stone was laid in 2004 on the land adjacent to Bank of Ceylon in Mahiyanganaya Town to construct an agricultural sales centre; (ii) the incumbent President, as the then Minister of Agriculture, took preliminary measures to take over the said land to the Department of Agrarian Services; (iii) the Mahiyanganaya Agrarian Services Committee and farmers made requests for that purpose; (iv) approval under 4/10/75144 of the Land Commissioner General has been given to grant the said land on preferential lease to Mr. Y.M. Rathnapala of 48th Post, Arawatta, Mahiyanganaya; and (v) State lands are given on a preferential basis only on compelling and special grounds?

¶ 04 (b) Will he state: (i) the reason for selecting a person over 80 years of age to transfer the land; (ii) whether he is aware that, when alienating State lands, the availability of sufficient lands for Government needs and the physical fitness of the selected recipient are considered, and that usually State lands are not given to a person over 60 years; (iii) whether those considerations were taken into account; and (iv) whether the said lease approval will be revoked?

¶ 05 (c) If not, why?