President wants data bank on unused Government land

March 2, 2023 at 9:35 AM

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has given instructions to digitize investment information to make it easily and quickly accessible to interested parties, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD). 

The purpose of this move is to encourage and promote investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, allowing investors to identify new investment prospects with ease. 

According to the PMD, in addition to this, the President has also pointed out the need for revising the Agricultural Development Act and Paddy Land Act to meet the current requirements. This is expected to facilitate and promote investment opportunities in the agricultural sector, which is a vital contributor to Sri Lanka’s economy. 

President Ranil Wickremesinghe also emphasized the timely amendment of the Agricultural Development Act and the Paddy Land Act to enable the replanting of cultivable paddy lands and the cultivation of other crops on non-paddy lands.

Furthermore, the President highlighted the importance of promptly identifying unused government-owned land by each government institution and department, and creating a data bank with the relevant information. This would enable better management and utilization of such land resources. 

The PMD stated that the discussion reflected the government’s commitment to promoting investment and efficient use of land in Sri Lanka by leveraging appropriate policies, frameworks, and technologies. 

The purpose of this discussion, held at the President’s Office yesterday (01), was to review the progress of implementing the 2023 budget proposals for investment promotion and the efficient use of land. 

Overall, these measures indicate the government’s commitment to promoting investment and economic growth in Sri Lanka by ensuring that the necessary infrastructure and legislative frameworks are in place to attract and support local and foreign investors, the PMD stated. 

The meeting was attended by several key officials, including Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardena, Senior Advisor to the President on Economic Affairs Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga, and Ms. Chandani Wijewardene, Senior Additional Secretary to the President for Strategic Affairs. 

Heads of line agencies were also present to discuss the progress of implementing the budget proposals and to provide insights into the challenges faced in promoting investment and efficient land use, the PMD added. (NewsWire)