President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday hailed the Government’s decision to grant free land rights to the people as a ground-breaking step, adding that no other nation has undertaken such a massive initiative to date.
President Wickremesinghe was speaking at the inaugural event to distribute freehold land deeds to Mahaweli settlers as part of the Urumaya program at Royal Central College, Polonnaruwa.
Emphasising the principle that as one section of the population benefits from the country’s economy, another should not be left to suffer, the President underscored that the revolutionary initiative of granting free land titles was launched to uplift low-income people.
He called upon the people to participate in building the economy in collaboration with the Government’s agricultural modernisation program, highlighting the potential for Polonnaruwa to become a key export district in the country. The President recalled his achievement in stabilising the country’s economy with the help of one group, despite inheriting a Government initially opposed by all. He extended an invitation to all sectors to collaborate in bolstering the nation’s economy over the next two to three years to secure a prosperous future for the youth.
The Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority has outlined plans to prepare 204,002 freehold deeds, with on-going preparations at all regional levels. It is anticipated that 20,178 freehold deeds will be distributed to Mahaweli settlers by the end of May. To commemorate its launch, 1,340 freehold deeds were distributed to the residents of B, C, Madirigiriya, and the Moragahakanda Mahaweli Zones in the Polonnaruwa district.
In a symbolic gesture representing the distribution of land deeds, the President presented the deeds to 30 people.
President Wickremesinghe said that those present entered the hall as licensees, would leave as landowners, as their land would become freehold that day. The President also emphasised the importance of land ownership in society and the significance of this change. He deplored the prevalent lack of legal land rights among many long-standing residents of the country, despite generational occupancy. He underscored the Urumaya program’s role in rectifying this, granting people freehold land deeds and securing their permanent rights, free from external interference or cancellation.
“We’ve all faced numerous challenges over the past three years. Just like the country’s economy, our personal finances took a hit, and money became scarce. It was a tough time for everyone. However, we’re gradually overcoming these economic hurdles. We need to persist with this for another two or three years,” he added.
