The case for a national digital land information system to improve transparency and prevent land fraud was raised at a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability.
The committee, chaired by Member of Parliament Hector Appuhamy, reviewed the problems facing the country’s land administration sector and discussed the reforms needed to make it more efficient.
What officials proposed
Officials proposed linking land-related information through an integrated digital platform holding details of ownership, boundaries and other relevant information on state lands, according to a statement issued by the Department of Communication of Parliament.
They said a system built on GPS coordinates could help reduce fraudulent activity involving forged deeds, as well as the misuse of state land.
The committee also examined coordination problems between the institutions responsible for land administration, including the Land Reform Commission and the Mahaweli Authority, particularly over land ownership and the demarcation of boundaries.
Members said legal and administrative reform, digitalisation and stronger coordination between government institutions were all essential to improving the system.
Animals Act amendment approved
At the same sitting, the committee approved a Bill to amend the Animals Act No. 29 of 1958, bringing the transportation of goats, pigs and sheep within the Act’s regulatory framework.
The Animals Act governs the treatment and movement of livestock. The amendment extends its transport provisions to species not previously covered.
No timeline was given for when a digital land registry might be established, and the proposal remains at the committee discussion stage rather than being a government decision.
Source: Digital land registry proposed to tackle fraud and state land misuse — Ada Derana, August 11.
