Moves to set up Land Tribunal

Rasika SOMARATHNA

Moves are underway to set up a Land Tribunal which could effectively deal with a wide range of issues relating to land and property.

Lands and Land Development Minister Janaka Bandara Tennekoon recently stated that the Government was contemplating setting up a single body vested with overall responsibility in co-ordinating with all decision makers involved in land matters.

He was of the opinion that confusion prevail when dealing with land matters at present mainly due to the law in this regard being interpreted by multiple stakeholders. He said the prevailing trend had negatively impacted on the progress of country's development and also had brought undue pressure on the public.

Addressing regional State Officials at the Matale District Secretariat during an awareness program on the Bim Saviya project the Minister noted that he had already submitted a preliminary proposal to relevant authorities on the formation of such a body which could act as a one-stop-shop for all land related issues.

The Minister also observed that while working towards a society free of land disputes the Government was also concentrating its energies in making the Bim Saviya program a success.

Under this program, the lands are surveyed demarcated, ensured ownership and issued a Title Certificate, free of charge to the needy.

Minister Tennekoon addressing the Bim Saviya stakeholders in the Matale district said that Government intends to complete the program in Matale during the next two years.