2026-02-18 / oral_question: Oral Question Q.1664/2025 - Land Reform Commission Lands 2026-02-18
## Summary
Deputy Minister Senarath responded on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to parliamentary questions concerning Land Reform Commission (LRC) lands in the Kalutara District under the Land Reform Law No. 1 of 1972. He provided district-level data on vested lands, comprising approximately 33,243 acres of dry land and 243 acres of paddy land, explaining that records are maintained at district rather than Divisional Secretary Division level across 14 DS divisions. The Deputy Minister noted that title deeds may be issued to permit-holders of non-state-acquired LRC lands, but acknowledged that some deeded lands have been privately sold without subsequent inquiry by the institution, and that no legal provisions exist to re-acquire lands lawfully alienated and used in accordance with the Law. He also advised that initial mapping using "Ilas" survey software is underway to identify encroachments and irregular acquisitions, with findings to be made available at DS Division level once completed.
Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, I provide the following answers.
(a) (i) Under the Land Reform Law, No. 1 of 1972, declarations and vesting of lands are compiled at district level rather than by Divisional Secretary’s Divisions. Accordingly, for the Kalutara District the details of declared and vested lands are as follows:
- Vested land extents:
- Dry land: 33,243 acres, 2 roods, 28 perches
- Paddy land: 243 acres, 0 roods, 21 perches
In essence, the Hon. Member has asked for the extents of Land Reform Commission (LRC) lands in Kalutara District at Divisional Secretary (DS) Division level. While allocations by DS Division have been recorded, compilations are generally maintained at district level. Therefore, I provide the district-level position. For the DS Divisions of Kalutara, Dodangoda, Matugama, Bulathsinhala, Madurawala, Walallawita, Palindanuwara, Agalawatta, Horana, Ingiriya, Millaniya, Panadura, Bandaragama and Beruwala, the extents of LRC lands distributed to the public, extents for which title deeds have been issued, and extents granted on a tax basis have been set out in the Department’s records.
(ii) Noted.
(iii) Noted.
(iv) Title deeds may be issued for permit-holders of LRC lands that have not been acquired by the State, in accordance with applicable law.
(v) Lands for which deeds have been issued by the LRC have, in some instances, been alienated through private sales, excluding the broader public over time. The institution has not, thereafter, carried out specific inquiries into such private conveyances.
(vi) There are no provisions to re-acquire lands that have been lawfully alienated and are being used in keeping with the purposes of the Law.
Further, based on the LRC land register and using the “Ilas” software of the Department of Survey, initial mapping is underway to identify encroachments and irregular acquisitions. Once such lands irregularly acquired are identified, those particulars can be made available at DS Division level.
(b) Not applicable.