June 21, Colombo (LNW): The Urumaya National Operations Secretariat has organized a mobile initiative across the country from June 26 to 30 to expedite the “Urumaya” national programme, which aims to provide two million freehold land deeds.
Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Chandra Herath, announced that government officials responsible for issuing freehold deeds will visit villages to gather information from residents and expedite the issuance of the freehold deeds. Herath shared these views during a press conference held at the Presidential Media Centre on June 20.
She elaborated that large numbers of land deeds have already been distributed under the “Urumaya” programme, and this mobile service aims to accelerate its progress. The mobile programme will be implemented nationwide from June 26 to 30. All government officials responsible for issuing freehold land deeds will participate, handling necessary measurements and documentation. The Registrar General’s Department, Survey Department, Divisional Secretariats, and District Secretariats are involved in this programme, and no fees will be charged from land licence holders.
Irrigation Ministry Secretary, Saman Darshana Pandikorala, mentioned that there are over 280,000 licences within the Mahaweli Zones. The Urumaya programme aims to provide freehold land deeds to all licensees residing in fifteen districts across ten Mahaweli zones. Currently, preparations are underway to issue deeds to around 60,000 people.
Land Commissioner General, Bandula Jayasinghe, noted that although the “Urumaya” Freehold Land Deeds programme has made significant progress, many rural residents have not fully understood its benefits. Some individuals keep their landowner’s licences at home, missing the opportunity to obtain a freehold deed. Licence holders are now advised to promptly meet with their Divisional Secretary to submit their licences and apply for a freehold land deed without any conditions.
To enhance efficiency, the Presidential Secretariat, Land Commissioner General’s Department, Mahaweli Authority, Survey Department, and the Registrar General’s Department have jointly organized this mobile service to cover every Divisional Secretariat and Grama Niladhari Division. Officials, including the Divisional Secretary, will visit villages. Residents are required to submit their land documents and receive a receipt, ensuring they secure their freehold land rights promptly under the Urumaya programme.
Mahaweli Authority Director General, Mahendra Abhayagunawardena, and Additional Director of the Survey Department, K.R. Sarath, also addressed the gathering.
Strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee, Hambantota and Monaragala districts.
