The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament
The Minister answered a question on Sri Lanka Railways land, stating that the Department owns 5,739.85 hectares, with a district-wise schedule to be placed in the Library. He said about 520 acres, or around 10 per cent, is currently leased for up to five years, generating Rs. 882.56 million from 2020 to 30 June 2025. He added that a detailed plan is being prepared to identify unauthorized occupations, with action to be taken under State Lands recovery laws and through Fiscal’s Orders where necessary, while future leases will follow ministry circulars, valuation assessments and railway land disposal procedures.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, I will answer the question raised by the Hon. Rohana Bandara.
¶ 02 (a) (i) The total extent of land belonging to the Sri Lanka Railways is 5,739.85 hectares (Acres: 14,183 | Roods: 02 | Perches: 38.928). The district-wise schedule has been prepared and will be placed in the Library. (ii) Yes. Lands belonging to the Department of Railways are leased to government institutions, private institutions and individuals for a maximum period of five years under the powers granted by Section 191(2) of the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Act, No. 08 of 1977. (iii) The extent currently under lease is about 520 acres, which is approximately 10% of the total. (iv) Total income from land leases from 2020 to 30.06.2025 is Rs. 882.56 million, as follows: - 2020: Rs. 121.55 million - 2021: Rs. 97.69 million - 2022: Rs. 161.54 million - 2023: Rs. 159.39 million - 2024: Rs. 219.68 million - Up to 30.06.2025: Rs. 122.71 million Total: Rs. 882.56 million
¶ 03 (b) (i) A precise calculation has not yet been completed; a detailed plan has been initiated to ascertain the extent. (ii) Unauthorized settlers occupying essential railway reserves will be dealt with under the powers vested in the Department of Railways (State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Act, No. 07 of 1969) and, failing compliance, evicted through Fiscal’s Orders. Other railway reserves will be legally vested in the Department as required. (iii) Short-term leases up to five years are granted under Circular No. MT/02/02/01/01/12 dated 2021.10.21 issued by the Secretary to the Ministry, via the Lands Division. Short promotional events not exceeding 14 days are permitted under the prevailing fee schedule. Requests for commercial activities such as parking and small retail within railway reserves, projects identified as special, and lands of recognized commercial value are leased under the Railway Lands Disposal Procedure through agreements for specified periods. Lease rents are determined using Government Valuation Department assessments and current market values to maximize departmental benefit.
¶ 04 (c) Not applicable.
Provenance
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- Hansard, Saturday, 15 November 2025 ·No. 22870 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 15 November 2025. No. 22870. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/28969