The Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) has ordered the immediate and temporary suspension of the ‘Urumaya’ freehold land distribution program conducted by the President’s Office, despite official claims that it is a non-political initiative.
The ECSL has issued the directive as President Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared his candidacy for the upcoming Presidential Election. The ECSL has said the program can resume after the election.
Holding a press conference last week at the President’s Media Centre, Tourism and Land Ministry Secretary Somarathne Vidanapathirana insisted the program was apolitical. “It is not politically motivated and will continue even during election periods,” he claimed.
“The distribution of freehold land deeds follows the same procedural channels as other services provided by the Divisional Secretary. Consequently, the scheduling of elections will not impact the program. The program adheres to election laws, as the land deeds are not distributed on public platforms or with the involvement of politicians during the election period. Additionally, incentives have been approved for Government officials to enhance the efficiency of the land deed distribution process,” he noted at the time.
However, the ECSL has taken a different stance and ordered the program to be halted during the election period. Last month, President Wickremesinghe was seen attending a series of freehold land title distribution events under the ‘Urumaya’ program across the country.
The President introduced the program as part of the 2024 Budget proposals, stating that the land plots allocated to farmers under the Land Development Ordinance of 1935 would be permanently granted to them.
Accordingly, the initiative aims to distribute 2 million freehold land deeds within two years, replacing the Ran Bhoomi, Jaya Bhoomi, and Swarna Bhoomi land licences issued by previous Governments.