The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleke

¶ 01 Hon. Chair, today we are debating the Head of Expenditure of a very important ministry that is also very close to the people. Many Members wish to speak under this Head of Expenditure, and even preparing today’s speakers’ list was a challenge. As a former Minister of Lands, I wish to briefly speak about several matters related to the Ministry of Lands.

¶ 02 We remember how Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, upon becoming President and as Minister of Finance, came to this House and presented the Budget. In that Budget speech, he announced the implementation of the “Urumaya” programme to grant freehold (sinnakkara) title deeds to about two million people. Thereafter, he commenced the programme. We wish to know what has happened to the “Urumaya” programme under the present Government, as many are concerned about it.

¶ 03 According to information we have, the “Urumaya” freehold title programme has been halted since November 2024. Under this programme, about 70,000 people surrendered their existing grant deeds or permits to the State in order to receive freehold deeds. Out of them, only around 10,000 have been issued new grant documents so far. The former President has signed another approximately 10,000 grant documents, of which about 8,000 have reportedly been given to District Secretaries to distribute to the public. Additionally, we have learned that about 3,000 more signed documents are lying with the Department of the Land Commissioner General. Further, around 45,000 people have surrendered their existing permits or grants to receive “Urumaya” freehold deeds. Those old grants have now become invalid. Without receiving the freehold deed and with their old permits invalidated, these people are left helpless. Therefore, Hon. Minister, please make a clear statement, either now or in your reply, on what will happen to this programme.

¶ 04 As Minister of Lands during the Yahapalana Government, I too worked hard to grant freehold deeds. At that time, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe functioned as Prime Minister. He and I presented a Cabinet paper and obtained approval, but due to court cases filed by some at the time, we could not proceed. After he became President, the process was restarted, and I blessed that initiative. Although we sit on different sides, there was no need for political division on this matter; I even participated in deed-distribution ceremonies. It would be good if you could state over the microphone that my support was appropriate.

¶ 05 Hon. Lal Kantha, I request this of the Government. If you are to restart the “Urumaya” programme, you now have the opportunity to correct its shortcomings and carry it out properly. I say this because officials have opined there are certain legal issues in the programme to grant freehold.