News

President instructs amendment of the Land Act to suit current development needs

Published

2 years ago

May 11, 2023

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe instructed the relevant officials to amend the existing ordinances regarding lands to suit the current development needs.

The President also informed to appoint a suitable committee to speed up the work.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe issued these instructions during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (10) evening, on amending the provisions of the ordinances of land management institutions and introducing new regulations.

Pointing out that the land policies brought during the colonial period are still being implemented in the country, the President also said that the ordinances brought at different times related to land use are not in line with the development needs of the time.

It was also discussed at length about the preparation of a new National Land Policy by removing the existing obstacles in providing land for development activities.

The President instructed the officials to resolve the issues of the lands under the Provincial Councils through a Land Commission.

The President also instructed the officers to identify the details of the land owners in the Grama Niladhari Divisions and the amount of land that is currently utilized and the amount of land that has not been utilized and prepare a report at Divisional Secretariat levels.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe informed the officers to take steps to redistribute among the public the lands acquired for Government purposes but not yet utilized, and in the future to acquire lands for Government purposes by paying the market value of the respective lands.

In order to avoid the delay in the works of the Survey Department and the Valuation Department, the President also instructed to take steps to fill the vacancies in those departments promptly.Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President on National Security Mr Sagala Ratnayake, Secretary to the President Mr. Saman Ekanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Mr. K.D.N. Ranjith Asoka, Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism & Lands Mr. H.M.B.P. Herath, Secretary to the Ministry Of Wildlife & Forest Resources Conservation Mrs. R.M.C.M. Herath, Secretary to the Ministry of Irrigation U.D.C Jayalal, Secretary to the Ministry of Plantation Industries Mr. Janaka Dharmakeerthi and other Government officials were present at this discussion.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Man jailed over phone ringing in courtroom dies in custody

Published

13 hours ago

May 5, 2025

editor

A man who was imprisoned for 14 days after his mobile phone rang inside the Embilipitiya Magistrate’s Court has died while in custody under controversial circumstances, prompting allegations from his family and triggering investigations by prison authorities.

The individual, who had reportedly arrived at the court premises to post bail in a case filed over traffic violations, was detained for allegedly violating the decorum of the courtroom when his phone rang during proceedings.

Prison authorities claim he died of a sudden illness while in custody. However, his relatives have accused prison officials of assaulting him, alleging that the post-mortem examination had revealed that the deceased suffered brain damage from a blow to the head with a blunt object and internal bleeding caused by an injury to the left side of his chest.

Prisons Media Spokesperson Gamini B. Dissanayake said that a full internal investigation is underway into the incident, in addition to a police inquiry.

(adaderana.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

President invites Vietnam’s Vingroup to invest in SL

Published

15 hours ago

May 5, 2025

editor

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, who is currently on a state visit to Vietnam, extended an open invitation to Vietnam’s leading conglomerate, Vingroup, to explore investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s real estate and tourism sectors.

While congratulating the Vingroup for their achievements and for building a diversified global brand, President Disanayake invited Vingroup to consider investing in Sri Lanka’s real estate and tourism sectors. He further emphasized that Sri Lanka is pleased to facilitate the creation of a smooth and enabling environment for their investments.

The President made these remarks during a business engagement with Vingroup at their Headquarters in Hanoi, yesterday evening (May 04) where he met with Vice Chairman and the CEO of the Vingroup Nguyen Viet Quang and the delegation.

President Disanayake emphasized Sri Lanka’s strategic geographic position, progressive infrastructure development and the government’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for foreign investors, particularly in high-potential sectors such as tourism and real estate.

Vingroup Joint Stock Company (Vingroup JSC), formerly known as Technocom Corporation, was founded in 1993 in Ukraine. Today, Vingroup is one of Vietnam’s largest and most respected private enterprises, operating as a multi-sector corporation with a focus on three core pillars: industrials & Technology, Real Estate & Services and Social Enterprises.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath also participated in the discussions.

News

Complaint filed on Halloluwa’s claim against President AKD

Published

16 hours ago

May 5, 2025

editor

A complaint was filed with the CID last night (May 04), requesting an urgent investigation into a claim made by former Director of the National Lotteries Board – Thusitha Halloluwa.

Halloluwa had alleged that President Anura Dissanayake had made a large financial investment in Greece.

The relevant complaint was submitted at midnight yesterday by the Attorney-at-Law Akalanka Ukwatte, with President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma.