Deputy Land Minister, Aravinda Senarath, told Parliament yesterday (18), plans are underway to provide 65,000 title deeds by May to people residing on State-owned lands, including those owned by the Land Reform Commission (LRC), as part of an effort to regularise long-standing land issues.

He added the process of transferring LRC lands around the country has been highly irregular. In a number of instances land had been disposed of for various reasons, based on the interests of certain institutional officials and influenced by political considerations.

“These matters have now been identified through investigations, and some measures are already being taken. These irregularities have also created serious difficulties for members of the public who are settled on LRC lands. Many of them have been living for years without proper legal documentation," the minister explained.

As a solution, Senarath said the Land Ministry had initiated a programme to issue licences, title certificates, and deeds for people residing on LRC and other State-owned lands. "The Ministry is currently considering the relevant recommendations and working to provide legal recognition to those already settled on such lands. We are prepared to issue 65,000 title deeds by May of this year,” he explained.

Sri Lanka has a long history of State land being allocated to individuals, companies and institutions through questionable or unlawful processes. Past investigations and audits have revealed instances where land was released without proper approvals, environmental clearance or legal authority, in many cases due to political influence or administrative lapses.

The Government, since coming to power, has repeatedly stated that all irregularities that have taken place in the management and allocation of State lands would be examined and that action would be taken against those found responsible.