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2023-08-22

News Categories : Committee News 

Ministerial Consultative Committee on Tourism and Lands questions the Land Reform Commission regarding the inaction of releasing deeds to its owners for over 50 years

The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Tourism and Lands questioned the Chairman of the Land Reform Commission as to why releasing deeds to its owners has been delayed for over 50 years.

This matter was raised and discussed at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Tourism and Lands held recently (Aug. 09) in Parliament under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Tourism and Lands Hon. Harin Fernando.

Officials representing the Land Reform Commission stated that the issue pertaining to the said matter is that the land has been disposed to various parties and the third or fourth generations now occupy the said lands. Accordingly, the officials stated that there is an issue in presenting of documents. The officials further stated that sorting this matter is now in process.

However, the Chair Minister Hon. Harin Fernando stated that a speedier process needs to be implemented. Accordingly, the Minister suggested that as a resolve to the matter, a schedule be initiated from Kandy district as a pilot project and there on to gradually move to other districts to clear out the deeds. The Minister further stated that the Land Reform Commission should be more proactive on matters as such and look into the concerns of the people.

Moreover, the Committee took into discussion the request made regarding the provision of new annual license for black stone quarrying to around 7000 people in Balangoda Damahana area who are traditionally engaged in the Black stone quarrying industry.

Furthermore, the Chair of the Committee also took into discussion the progress of all Committees  which conducted with the participation of Members of Parliament in each tourism area in order to identify and promote new tourist locations and the progress regarding the development of the Deniyaya Eco Tourism Zone.

Members of the Committee State Minister Hon. (Ms.) Geetha Samanmale Kumarasinghe, Members of Parliament and the Committee Hon. Kapila Athukorala, Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan and many other Members of Parliament representing both the Opposition and the Government were present at the Committee meeting held.

 

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