Government institutions have been instructed to submit reports on unauthorised constructions that fall under their purview, and the Government will make a decision based on those reports, said the Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing, T.B. Sarath.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, he said that there are a large number of unauthorised structures across the country, ranging from small shops to large-scale buildings, some of which have stood for 40 to 50 years. He added that not all of these can be removed at once, as the issue needs to be handled on a case by case basis.

“There are permanent structures such as houses, some of which have deeds. Others are directly linked to politicians. Some may need to be relocated or provided with alternatives. It’s not possible to apply a uniform solution to all situations. However, discussions are ongoing among the relevant authorities to determine the best solution. The institutions responsible will submit reports on the constructions that fall under their purview. Once that is done, the Government will make appropriate decisions,” he added. 

Unauthorised constructions on State-owned land have become a rising issue, especially in rapidly developing areas and regions near forests, rivers, and roadways. These structures are built without proper approval, sometimes on land reserved for public use, conservation, or future development projects.