The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka

¶ 01 Alright.

¶ 02 For five years we have raised key issues in the lands sector that remain unimplemented due to negligence: modernizing old ordinances and laws; amending the Land Acquisition Act and the Registration of Title Act—processes I initiated as Lands Minister but which remain incomplete. Please instruct officials to expedite. The Land Use Policy Planning Act also remains unfinished; focus on that.

¶ 03 We also lack a National Land Policy—the foundation of land management. The main obstacle has been the failure to constitute the National Land Commission provided in the 13th Amendment. Draft laws were prepared several times but never completed.

¶ 04 Furthermore, many development projects were halted midway by past Governments, causing hardship. We are happy that funds have been allocated to restart Kadawatha–Meerigama of the Central Expressway and the Ingiriya section of the Ruwanpura Expressway. But projects like Dambulla–Habarana rail line, remaining sections of Central and Ruwanpura expressways, and the elevated Kelani Valley line are stalled. Landowners whose properties were acquired have not been compensated; environmental issues have arisen. The Government must decide whether to proceed; if proceeding, pay compensation promptly; if not, return the acquired lands.

¶ 05 I believe I have about a minute or two left; I yield that time to Hon. Harsha de Silva.