The issuance of ‘Himikama’ freehold land deeds in the Colombo District was held at Mihikatha Medura.
The ceremony for the issuance of ‘Himikama’ freehold land deeds, implemented under the government policy of “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life,” was held today (23rd) at Mihikatha Medura, under the patronage of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, K.D. Lalkantha. On this occasion, freehold land deeds were distributed to the people of the Colombo District.
Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, K.D. Lalkantha expressed his views while joining this occasion.
“It was during the time when Sirimavo Bandaranaike was Prime Minister in 1970 that land in excess of 50 acres per person was taken over by the state, leaving only 50 acres for each individual. Those lands were taken over to be distributed among the landless people of our country. The 1971 uprising was a contributing factor to this. A report indicated that the lack of land for the new generation was one of the causes of the 1971 uprising. When people have no land to call their own, it creates immense pressure within society.
Not having a land of one’s own is a great mental burden. You cannot mortgage the land to a bank to obtain a loan. You cannot transfer it to a child. You cannot carry out a proper construction. Today, we are issuing freehold land deeds to those who have been residing on these lands for a long period of time. We do not issue deeds to newcomers. When there is no ownership of land, various problems arise. You cannot even enroll a child in school. Today, that problem is being solved. Once you receive this freehold land deed today, go and register it tomorrow without delay. Do not postpone it.
Retaining lands under state ownership without issuing freehold deeds is wrong. Economic activities cannot develop. As a result, development will be delayed. That is why we are looking to issue deeds to the people as quickly as possible. The Chairman stated that an effort will be made to issue 5,000 deeds through the Land Reform Commission within this year. In addition to this, there are other institutions as well.
We want to develop this country. That is why we are carrying out these activities swiftly. Once you receive your land, do not leave any part of it empty. Engage in activities that bring economic benefits. Do something that is productive for the country and generates income for you. The problem of not having an inch of land of their own in the country where they were born is over today.”
Participating in this event, Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation Aravinda Senarath Witharana also expressed his views.
Due to the lack of land ownership in the Colombo District, you have lived with regret for decades. Although you presented your problem to various parties, you were unable to obtain a solution. The purpose of establishing the Land Reform Commission in 1972 was to address the crisis created within society due to youth unemployment. Through this institution, land was provided to young people for residential and agricultural purposes.
The current government pledged to provide a solution to the land problem under the ‘A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life’ policy. Now it is becoming a reality. We came to power to resolve the land issues that have existed in the country for decades. When we try to resolve this, we have to face certain obstacles. However, many officers extend their support to us. Only a very small number act arbitrarily.
The Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, D.P. Wickremasinghe, the Chairman of the Land Reform Commission, R.K. Nihal, and the recipients of ‘Himikama’ land deeds participated in this occasion.
