Wednesday Sep 03, 2008
Colombo: All State lands should be vested in the Lands Commissioner General and if the existing legislation is found to be inadequate, new legislation will be enacted, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The President was speaking at the discussion held regarding the management of lands belonging to the Food Department.

The President said, although the custody of all State lands ought to be vested in the Land Commissioner General, some State institutions have resorted to the irregular practice of selling, leasing or renting out lands in their custody without concurrence from the Lands Commissioner General.

The previous UNP regime had rented out plenty of lands belonging to the Food Department, illegally to different parties. VAT scam chief suspect Kuthupdeen is one of them, making use of such lands without paying a rent, the Trade Ministry Secretary said.

The President directed the Attorney General to take action to revest these lands in the State. It was observed over 183 acres of lands scattered over 19 districts are owned by the Food Department.

The President pointedout that half of the lands released by the BOI for different projects are not being made use of, for the specified purpose The President directed Secretary Lalith Weeratunga to call for a report from the BOI chief.

Source: DAILY NEWS