The government is moving to review long-standing land administration practices as concerns grow over the underutilisation of State lands and the need for a more effective system to manage public assets.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said, “a new policy framework should be introduced to ensure State lands are used more efficiently and in line with present-day economic and administrative requirements”.
The President made the remarks while chairing a meeting of the Circular Revision Committee appointed to review circulars issued under the State Lands Ordinance and the Land Development Ordinance at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday evening (16th June).
Focus on Better Use of State Lands
According to the President’s Media Division, the President stressed the importance of formulating a time-appropriate policy to address the underutilisation of State lands and improve their management.
The Committee has been mandated to recommend the cancellation of outdated circulars, the revision of existing circulars, and the introduction of new circulars where necessary.
The objective is to ensure that land-related regulations and administrative procedures are aligned with current requirements.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on proposals submitted by the expert committee regarding revisions to the existing circular framework.
Reviewing Land Taxes and Lease Structures
The Committee has also been assigned the task of establishing a more reliable and uniform system of land taxation within the existing legal framework.
According to its mandate, the review will focus on ensuring that State revenue is optimised without adversely affecting leaseholders.
The Committee will examine annual lease rentals charged on long-term leases and grants while assessing whether current circulars remain suitable for present-day conditions.
Where required, amendments and new directives are expected to be proposed.
Committee Comprised of Senior Officials
The Committee is chaired by Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation D.P. Wickramasinghe, while the Commissioner General of Lands serves as its Convener.
Its membership includes representatives from the Presidential Secretariat, the Attorney General’s Department, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, the National Budget Department, the Valuation Department, the Mahaweli Authority, and provincial and divisional land administration offices.
Deputy Minister of Lands and Irrigation Aravinda Senarath, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Legal Adviser to the President Senior Attorney-at-Law J.M. Wijebandara, Additional Solicitor General of the Attorney General’s Department President’s Counsel Ravindra Pathiranage, Commissioner General of Lands Chandana Ranaweraarachchi, Director General (Institutional Affairs) of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development J.G.L.S. Jayawardena,
Additional Director General of the National Budget Department D.A. Asantha Gunasekara, and Commissioner of Lands (Leasing Division) P.K.C. Nilani Mahindaganamage were among those present.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation also attended the meeting.
Why the Review Matters?
The review reflects a broader effort to modernise land administration and ensure public land resources contribute more effectively to economic activity and government revenue.
The Committee’s recommendations are expected to form the basis for future reforms relating to State land management, leasing arrangements, and taxation policies.
Ministerial Update Presidential Affairs
Last modified: June 17, 2026
