Government to amend Land Acquisition Act to expedite development projects

With a view to fast-track the implementation of development projects, the government has decided to amend the Land Acquisition Act No. 9 of 1950 in order to simplify the land acquisition procedure and make compensation payments under a uniform system.

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved the proposal presented by Lands Minister S.M. Chandrasena to amend the Act to enable the acquisition of lands under a simple method, which is aimed at minimising the duration taken for the process of land acquisition and the payment of compensation under a uniform system.

The Government Information Department said the development programmes are faced with undue delays in the implementation stages due to the long delays in complying with the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act (LLA), which is currently in force.

“The main obstacles among these are non-compliance with a uniform procedure and delay in payment of compensation for lands acquired in accordance with the provisions of the Act,” it noted.

According to the World Bank (WB), the duration spent on land acquisition in Sri Lanka is considered to be time consuming, taking anywhere between a few months to about 2-3 years to complete the process.

It pointed out that a major cause for delay in land acquisition arises in connection to the compensation procedure and the associated legal proceedings.

“One of the challenges relating to the LAA is that the onus to prove ownership or interest in, demonstrate clear title to, gather all information and submit a compensation claim in respect of, land to be acquired, is on the affected persons,” it added.