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

¶ 01 Sir, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, I answer as follows: (a) (i) The Land Reform Commission was established on 8th September 1972 under the Land Reform Act, No. 1 of 1972, which was passed by the National State Assembly on 26th August 1972. (ii) As per Section 28 of the Land Reform Act, No. 1 of 1972, the objectives include: - Ensuring that no person holds agricultural land in excess of the prescribed ceiling. - Taking over agricultural land held in excess of the ceiling and utilizing such lands in a manner that enhances production and employment.

¶ 02 Under the Act, “ceiling” means: - If the land consists solely of paddy, 25 acres; - If not solely paddy, 50 acres; provided that where the 50 acres include any paddy, the extent of paddy therein shall not exceed the ceiling specified for paddy in the first limb above.

¶ 03 (iii) Yes. (iv) Upon confirmation that certain persons/entities have unlawfully or fraudulently acquired Commission lands, legal action has been instituted to reassert title. Examples:

¶ 04 1. Giriulla Estate (Gampaha District; Attanagalla DS Division; areas including Meerigama, Lolluwagoda, Godakalana, Thalahaena and Giriulla): Case No. 538/L filed in the District Court of Attanagalla for ejectment and recovery.

¶ 05 2. Udukandagedara (Matara District; Devinuwara DS Division; Wahuwagama): Cases filed in the District Court of Matara (L/13322) against Jonikku Ariyarathna and others.

¶ 06 3. Forest/Maputugala area (Kalutara District; Ingiriya DS Division; Maputugala, Galkeena): Cases in the District Court of Horana (L/3056/2020) against Wadiah Ralalage Upali Gunasekara, Gamaga Ranjith Gunaratna, Nimal Ratnasiri, and P.G. Engineers (Pvt) Ltd.

¶ 07 4. Hanthana (Kandy District; Kandy DS Division; Deyiyannawala): Cases D.S.P. 44/2020 and MC 14283, 14284 in Kandy Courts against Prasad Muditha Wanigasinghe.

¶ 08 5. Lolland/Chundakadu (Eastern Province; Trincomalee District; Kantalai Pattu, Kantalai): Complaint lodged with the Police Department for criminal investigation.

¶ 09 6. Upparukadu (Eastern Province; Trincomalee District; Kinniya DS Division; Kinniya village): Legal action being pursued with advice of the Attorney-General; matter pending.

¶ 10 7. Chotterland (Kalutara District; Horana DS Division; Poruwadanda): Action under the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Act against Danadharma Ranasinghe to recover State land.

¶ 11 Island-wide, action is being taken under the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Act against persons unlawfully occupying Land Reform Commission lands; further proceedings are ongoing.

¶ 12 (b) Does not arise.