952 400 certificates of ownership issued! WHERE?TO WHOM?HOW MANY MINORITIES GOT THIS? COMPENSATION IN NESL? SINHALA MINISTER SHD EXPLAIN TRUTH OPENLY!

Rs 500 m allocated for land project
Dulshani Gunawardena


Land

* 952,400 certificates of ownership issued

* Bim Saviya progresses

* Target set for five years exceeded

A total of 109,456 blocks of land have been distributed among the people in terms of Mahinda Chinthana. Land and Land Development Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga told a press briefing at the Information Department yesterday, the land had been distributed among suitable recipients after proper screening by the Ministry.

People under the poverty line, rightful owners of land taken over through illegal means and members of the armed forces received land. Rs. 500 million is allocated yearly for this project, he said. “Especially during the past three years the Ministry has done much for the benefit of the country. By now within three years, we have been able to exceed the targets set for five years,” Kumaratunga said. He said amendments to the Land Act was under progress, with measures to remove obsolete clauses related to land dispute.

The Minister also emphasised that under the Bim Saviya program, measuring land of the whole country will be carried out and a certificate of ownership issued to the rightful owner following a detailed investigation.

This will solve 90 percent of land disputes, Kumaratunge said. So far, 952,400 certificates of ownership have been issued. This project will be completed in less than 15 years. Next year, Colombo will be made a model city and certificates issues for all lands, he said. He said the Government has taken much care in paying compensation to the optimum value to lands taken over by the Government for various development projects, so that no loss would be incurred by landowners.

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