Govt. revokes Gazette on issue of legal documents to those occupying State lands

• Lands Commissioner cancels Gazette Notification issued on 10 Sep. which called for applications to grant legal ownership to those who have constructed permanent houses or used State land for agriculture or other development activities
• New Gazette issued on Tuesday cancelling the previous one
• The move to distribute State land in this manner came under criticism over fears it may lead to massive land grabs

The Commissioner General of Lands has cancelled a Gazette Notification issued earlier this month to expedite the issuance of legal documents to those who have occupied or developed State lands without any document.

Land Commissioner General R.M.C.M. Herath issued the new Gazette cancelling the earlier one on Tuesday after the move to distribute state land came under criticism from environmental groups and others over fears this would lead to a massive land grab.

The Gazette issued on 10 September said that the Government plans to issue legal documents to those who have constructed permanent houses on state land or occupied state land by utilising it in agriculture or in any development activity, and that the policy would cover the entire island, except the Colombo and Gampaha districts where special development projects will be implemented on such lands. 

It said the Government’s decision is in keeping with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s policy statement “Visions of prosperity and splendour,” on the management of state lands at its optimum level to enhance investment opportunities, to promote local dairy production and to cultivate local food crops – which is one of the main objectives of the government – and had called for applications to be sent to the Divisional Secretariat in which the land is located, or to the respective Grama Niladhari/Field Officer, on or before 30 September.