Land & Housing

The Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs announced the "Yathivara Maapiya Nivahana" programme, a housing initiative for the parents of Buddhist monks who have entered the Sangha. Under the scheme, developed in partnership with the National Housing Development Authority, eligible parents will receive a grant of Rs. 1.5 million per house. Cabinet approval has been secured with presidential guidance, with plans to construct 1,000 houses island-wide in the current year, prioritising remote and underserved villages.

Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Dr. Susil Ranasinghe confirmed that the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) operates on a regional basis, grouping Batticaloa together with Ampara and Trincomalee. He committed to reviewing resource deployment and design capacity for Batticaloa, noting that he has been conducting district-by-district planning discussions, and indicated he would visit Batticaloa shortly to consider the requests raised and take appropriate action.

Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Dr. Susil Ranasinghe acknowledged that nationally, water production falls short of demand, with many areas receiving only intermittent, low-pressure supply for a few hours daily. He stated he would consult with the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) to assess the feasibility of continued water supply from Ampara to identified areas and determine the best technical solution. Regarding a proposed package plant at Mandur in Batticaloa, the Minister noted that numerous similar proposals exist nationwide requiring significant funding, and committed to examining what action is feasible in consultation with the NWSDB.

The Minister acknowledged longstanding irregularities in the alienation and administration of Land Reform Commission (LRC) lands, attributing these to political patronage and misconduct by institutional officers. He outlined that the Ministry of Lands has launched a programme to regularise permits, grants, and title deeds for LRC and other State lands, with approximately 65,000 title deeds planned for issuance by May of the current year. The Minister assured the House that a separate programme to confer legal status on LRC occupants is also underway and would be concluded within a short period.

Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha raised concerns about irregularities in the issuance of title deeds for Land Reform Commission (LRC) lands in the Kalutara District, noting that long-term residents lack formal documentation despite extended occupancy. He highlighted a specific hardship whereby children of these residents face difficulties enrolling in schools due to the absence of title deeds. As a supplementary question, he requested the Government to expedite the deed issuance process and provide a timeline for resolution.

## 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.

Minister Viddyarathna clarified that while Regional Plantation Company (RPC) lands are subject to contractual constraints, Nagastenna falls under state ownership (JEDB), making resettlement more feasible. He stated that the government is prepared to facilitate resettlement of disaster-affected families on suitable lands, contingent on approvals from relevant coordinating committees, District Coordinating Committees, and National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) clearances. The Minister committed to informing plantation companies and proceeding with resettlement where appropriate land is identified.

Dr. Nandana Millagala posed a supplementary question to the Minister regarding the use of underutilized lands in Nagastenna for resettlement purposes. He noted that areas including Sipoth and Berannawa were severely affected by a recent cyclone, and that Yatiyantota alone has over 300 high-risk houses. He specifically proposed that, subject to appropriate scientific clearances, portions of the Nagastenna lands could be allocated to resettle cyclone-affected families from these high-risk areas.

The Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure provided detailed answers regarding the Nagastenna Estate in Yatiyantota, a 482.84-hectare property owned by the Janatha Estate Development Board (JEDB). He acknowledged that estate management had been suboptimal due to financial constraints, including a lack of fertilizer, agrochemicals, and replanting activity spanning nearly a decade, though inputs are now being restored. The Minister noted that of 164 resident families, 99 are unauthorized occupants; while legal action has been taken against five external encroachers, no evictions have been carried out against long-standing in-estate unauthorized residents due to social considerations. Approximately 138.26 hectares of underutilized land are being processed for leasing to private investors under a programme to productively utilize underperforming assets.

The Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure acknowledged that underutilized estate lands are difficult to release due to existing lease agreements with Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs), citing the Deniyaya Hospital land dispute as an example of delays resolved only after government negotiation. He outlined the government's policy direction, in line with the President's position, that idle lands must be cultivated or sub-leased to capable parties in the national interest, with estate companies already notified of this requirement. Regarding state plantations (SLSPC, JEDB, and Elkaduwa Plantations), the Minister announced that several thousand acres have been advertised for lease and that a further approximately 5,000 acres will be advertised within six weeks through open, competitive processes. He also indicated that the government is considering action against private plantation companies that fail to cultivate or develop underutilized lands, and called on the House not to obstruct ongoing wage negotiations.