| SERVICES |
| Legalizing State Land Policy |
Deciding the land policy of the State and directing. all Provincial Land Commissioners’ offices and Divisional Secretariats in this regard.
The main function of this department is to control and administer lands in Sri Lanka belonging to the State. This department while conserving and developing these lands, also issues these lands to various individuals and institutions for various purposes. Accordingly formulating policies pertaining to land matters and implementing them is the responsibility of this department. Generally, this department is being consulted regarding matters connected with land belonging to other institutions affiliated to the State.
Whilst implementing this Land Policy of the State, this department collaborates with several other units at administrative level. Accordingly, lands within the area of authority of the Provincial Councils are administrated by the Provincial Land Commissioner. The lands within the Inter-Provincial Irrigation Schemes are directly administrated by the Central Government represented by the Regional Officers (Deputy Land Commissioners) who function under the Land Commissioner General. The officers performing the function of both the State’s Land Commissioner General and Provincial Land Commissioners are the Divisional Secretaries. These three establishments function within the same legal structure.
Though some powers have been transferred regarding administration of lands situated within the areas of authority of the provincial councils, continuous relationship is maintained with the Provincial Land Commissioner in order to implement a common land policy throughout Sri Lanka. Rendering of legal advice whenever necessary and taking appropriate departmental actions to find solutions for the inquiries raised directly by members of the Public are also important functions performed by this Department.
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| Disposal of State Lands. |
Disposal of lands under the State Land Ordinance.
Under this Ordinance, functions relating to the purposes and extent of State lands issued to the citizens and organizations are performed. |
Disposal of lands under the Land Development Ordinance.
Functions of issuing lands to people belonging to the farmers’ class, low income groups, higher income groups and educated youth for agricultural or residential or for both of these purposes are carried out through this Ordinance. Lands are not issued for any other purposes under this Ordinance. |
Disposal of lands under the Land Grant (Special Provisions) Act.
Lands are disposed under this Act, through Instruments of Dispositions.
Under the land Reform Act, lands belonging to the Lands Reform Commission are issued to people belonging to the farmers’ class for agricultural or residential or for both of these purposes. Lands are not issued for any other purpose whatsoever, under this Act.
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| Issue of Lawful ownership documents for disposed State Lands. |
Issue of Ranbima Grants
This is issued only to the members of the Farmers’ Class under Section 19(4) of the Land Development Ordinance. Recipients of the lands are selected through Land Kachcheries. Here there is a system of allocating marks according to the annual income. A Service Charge of Rs.100/= is charged for the preparation of Deed. This Deed could be transferred and mortgaged after obtaining the prior permission of the Divisional Secretary concerned. Transfer could be done only among members belonging to the particular income group. |
Instrument of Disposition
These Grants are issued to those persons who have been selected under the Lands Grants (Special Provisions) Act No:43 of 1973. The land should have been well developed to receive this Grant. No service charge is levied for this Grant. The process of preparing this Grant is same as Ranbima Grant. |
Middle Class Grants
Under the Land Development Ordinance, these Grants are issued in respect of lands given to people belonging to higher income group. Under this scheme, lands with more than 5 acres in extent have been given. These Grants could be received only after having completely paid all due charges to the State and after having developed the land well. |
Free Grants under the Land Redemption Ordinance
This Grant is issued under the Land Redemption Ordinance. This could be obtained as a free Grant without any conditions, after the owner or heirs paying to the State the money and the interest thereof incurred by the State in acquiring the Land. |
Issue of Long Term Lease Permit
Lease Permit is issued under the State Land Ordinance No: 8 of 1947. Long Term Lease for a period of 30 years is issued for individuals and institutions for the purpose of Residence, Agriculture and Commerce. The lease period could be extended up to 50 years in case of special projects. If the original period of lease was successfully maintained, lease period could be extended. This Permit could be transferred or mortgaged after obtaining prior permission from the Land Commissioner General. |
Issue of Grants under State Land Ordinance
After considering the successful operation of the lease for residential purpose, Grants could be issued after recovering the undeveloped value of the land. After issuing this Grant, the full ownership of the land rests with the lessee. |
Special Grants under State Land Ordinance
For Special reasons, Grants could be issued after obtaining the approval of His Excellency the President. No money is charged. Issue of lands to different State Organizations for special social service oriented projects and issue of alternate lands in lieu of acquired private lands by the State where compensation was not paid, are examples of such Special Grants. |
Issue of Pooja Deed under State Land Ordinance
This is issued for Vihares. In the first instance a Primary Lease Bond is issued for the Board of Trustees. Later a releasing Grant is issued in favour of the Viharadhipathi and disciples in succession. |
Vesting Orders under State Land Ordinance
Lands are transferred to the three armed forces and Local Government Institutions. Vesting Orders have to be prepared for this purpose. |
Releasing of Land (Releasing Certificates) under State Land Ordinance
A releasing certificate is issued for the lands released for Government Departments.
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| Land Development |
In Sri Lanka, during the early period of settlement of people, Land Development Department was established to administer the Land Development Programme. This Department in order to settle down recipients of lands provided them with all infra structure facilities and enhanced other social aspects needed for human development. After the winding up of this Department by the State in the nineteen eighties, these functions were to be performed by the Land Commissioner’s Department. Accordingly as at today, functions relating to development activities pertaining to the Inter-Provincial major Agricultural Colonization Schemes are performed by the Land Commissioner General’s Department whilst, functions of Land development in respect of village expansion schemes are performed by the Provincial Land Commissioner. Functions relating to maintaining of the internal roads in the Colonization Schemes, supplying of drinking water, maintaining of public buildings and special settlement projects are also being performed.
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| Collection and Accounting of Land Revenue |
Revenue on lease rentals due on various permits issued under different Acts and Ordinances to lands coming under the Inter Provincial Irrigation and Development Projects are collected and appropriately accounted. Accordingly annual revenue estimates are prepared. Legal actions are taken against those who evade payments due on leases and collections of lease rental with arrears are ensured. Also opportunities for effecting new leases are explored and executed.
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| World Food Programme |
From the commencement of the agricultural colonization schemes. Assistances in the form of food commodities, under the World Food Programme were provided to the colonists in each colony until they achieved economic stability. The Land Commissioner General’s Department, performs the function pertaining to the essential food commodities received in Sri Lanka, under the World Food Programme viz: clearing them from the relevant institutions, storing them in the World Food Stores at Ratmalana and issuing them. Similarly, clearing, storing and issuing of food items received by the Ministry of Health care and nutrition. Ministry of Rehabilitation. Department of Agrarian services and the Department of Social Services are also performed by the Land Commissioner General’s Department.
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| Holding of Mobile Services |
With the view of minimizing problems related to lands under the concept of social service analysis, mobile day services are held to identify and provide solutions to problems of land in the colonies. Such Meeting of the people “Janahamuwa” programmes are held at:ු
- National Level
- Provincial Level
- Divisional Secretary Division Level
Here problems identified at the Divisional Secretary Division Level, that could be remedied immediately are solved instantly. Similarly ownerships of lands are confirmed by issuing necessary permits.
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| Rendering Legal Advice |
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