The ‘Urumaya’ programme, a groundbreaking initiative by the Ministry of Tourism and Lands, is making significant strides in land rights in Sri Lanka. Launched with the goal of distributing two million freehold land deeds, the programme aims to transform land ownership across the country. According to Somaratne Vidanapathirana, the Ministry Secretary, the initiative is entirely apolitical and will proceed unaffected by election periods, adhering strictly to election laws.
In a recent press briefing titled ‘Two Years of Progress and Advancement’ at the Presidential Media Centre, Vidanapathirana announced that over 100,000 applications have already been received, with the goal of issuing two million deeds within the next two years. He emphasized that the programme operates in several phases, with the first phase currently underway.
Land Commissioner General Bandula Jayasinghe highlighted that the programme replaces the old ‘Jayabhumi’ and ‘Swarnabhumi’ permits with freehold land deeds, offering clear and unrestricted ownership. So far, approximately 102,000 applications have been submitted, with 20,000 deeds already issued and a target of 50,000 deeds by the year’s end. Additionally, revisions to the Land Act and updates to the long-term leasing system for government land are in progress to boost investment.
Surveyor General Sudath Perera discussed the extensive work undertaken by the Survey Department, including highway surveying, creating line drawings for the ‘Urumaya’ programme, and preparing cadastral maps for the ‘Bim Saviya’ programme. Perera urged the Government Surveyors Association to end their professional action and return to work, highlighting the critical role they play in the success of these initiatives.
Title Settlement Commissioner General Chandima Sigera reported significant progress in land ownership verification through the ‘Bim Saviya Programme’, which has settled 70% of the Northern and Eastern Provinces and 99% of other provinces. Nearly one million title certificates have been issued, providing clear titles and formal ownership to landholders.
Panduka Keerthinanda, Chairman of the Land Reforms Commission, announced the completion of cataloguing all lands into a digital system, enhancing the processing and management of land deeds. The commission has also revised the circular for estimating current land values, improving tax revenue collection.
Director General of the Land Use Policy Planning Department, Devika Gunawardena, revealed that national land use plans have been completed at the divisional secretariat level, along with rural and micro catchment area plans. The department has also implemented soil and water conservation measures to enhance the productivity of underutilized agricultural land and accelerated the delivery of land suitability reports.
The ‘Urumaya’ programme represents a transformative effort in land rights, aiming to provide Sri Lankans with clear and secure land ownership, fostering investment and development across the nation.