The Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayake today handed over legal deeds to nearly 4,000 families in Matara district who do not have official land deeds at a ceremony held under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Deniyaya.
Speaking at the event, the Minister pointed out that this was the first time the land deeds were granted to the people without legal titles of land in Matara District.
Remarking that his political vision is to make the people part of the solutions instead of the problems, the Minister said the legal titles to the lands they live in have been given with that view and providing a viable solution to land issues will strengthen their families economically.
“Keeping the promises made to the people we have been able to solve these problems that prolonged for decades within three weeks,” he said.
Minister Ratnayake said while the government has established a permanent price for the tea, under the southern development program to develop the economy in the South, the people do not have to get stuck in the tea cultivation.
The Hambantota port development project has already begun, and the Hambantota Industrial Zone that will be created through this will strengthen the economy of the South, he said.
“Before all these, we were given a huge responsibility. That is to establish the unity in the country and provide security and peace to all citizens. We have been able to do that. Then only the country is attractive to the tourists and investors as well as to the citizens,” the Minister said adding that the government has been able to achieve that objective.
Minister Ratnayake emphasized that the government is committed to serve the people of the country as a whole and has already implemented many infrastructure projects.
Parliamentary Reforms and Land Development Minister Gayantha Karunatilaka were also present at the occasion.
