The Hon. Aravinda Senarath

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, my first supplementary question is this. Hon. Deputy Minister, are there still lands owned by the Land Reforms Commission in the Kandy District? If so, have steps been taken to use those lands for investment and production activities?

¶ 02 Sri Lanka is now receiving a large number of investments. Therefore, we can start new projects. We have already identified lands in several districts. Accordingly, in this district relevant to your question, we have carried out a survey regarding the lands and are identifying lands that can be used for development activities and investment. We hope to direct them for investment very soon.

¶ 03 Regarding land title, a deed is a significant asset for a landholder. In our country, land is viewed with a distinct mindset. However, successive governments have failed to resolve land issues and amend the laws to grant maximum relief to the people in line with social change. Near the last presidential election, the previous government carried out a massive campaign under a programme called “Urumaya” (Heritage). But today, the people call it their “Karumaya” (Karma), because without any plan various projects were launched and millions of rupees of our country were wasted. However, as a government, within the past ten months, we have prepared and are implementing various programmes.

¶ 04 In response to your question, we are launching a programme called “Himikama” (Ownership) to provide people with valuable deeds. Within the next four years, under a very systematic and lawful process, we will resolve people’s land issues and also implement the deed issuance programme. The Gazette containing the relevant circular for this was issued last week. I wish to inform the Hon. Member about that as well. My message to you is that we are resolving these issues.