The inaugural ceremony of the national programme for the presentation of ‘Himikama’ freehold title deeds granting absolute ownership of land to the public, particularly farming communities, who have been developing and utilising land allocated under permits and grants, will be held tomorrow (27 Feb).
According to the President’s Office, the event will take place under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at 2.00 pm at the North Central Provincial Council Auditorium in Korakahawewa, Anuradhapura.
Farmers and the public who have been developing and enjoying lands granted under permits and grants issued in terms of the Land Development Ordinance No. 19 of 1935 have faced various difficulties due to the absence of absolute ownership of such lands. These challenges have arisen particularly when using the land to meet human and development needs, as well as when seeking to develop the land as an economic unit.
Accordingly, arrangements have been made to remove the conditions attached to permits and grants issued under the Land Development Ordinance and to issue a title deed in compliance with Section 2 of the State Lands Ordinance No. 8 of 1947. Under this programme, ‘Himikama’ freehold title deeds will be granted in respect of permits and grants voluntarily handed over to the Government.
On Friday (27 Feb), 500 ‘Himikama’ freehold title deeds are scheduled to be distributed to beneficiaries within the Anuradhapura District. It is planned to extend the programme to cover all districts island-wide in due course.
The programme is being implemented under the guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, together with the Department of the Land Commissioner General. (Newswire)
