Parliamentary committee members have recommended establishing a national digital land information platform to improve transparency, reduce fraudulent activities, and address coordination problems among government institutions responsible for land administration.
A parliamentary oversight committee has identified the creation of a comprehensive digital land registry as a key priority in reforming Sri Lanka's land administration sector. At a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability, chaired by Member of Parliament Hector Appuhamy, officials presented proposals for an integrated digital platform that would consolidate information on land ownership, boundaries, and state property details.
Proponents of the system argue that digitalization could significantly reduce land fraud and prevent the misuse of state lands. The proposed registry would utilize GPS coordinates and centralized data management to minimize opportunities for forged documents and unauthorized land transfers. Officials identified this technological approach as essential to improving the sector's overall efficiency and integrity.
The committee also identified coordination failures among multiple government agencies as a significant obstacle to effective land administration. Institutions including the Land Reform Commission and the Mahaweli Authority have faced difficulties in managing land ownership records and establishing accurate boundary demarcations. Committee members stressed that resolving these inter-agency coordination issues would be critical to any reform effort.
Beyond digitalization, the committee determined that legal and administrative reforms would be necessary to modernize the sector. The meeting also addressed separate matters, including amendments to strengthen animal transportation regulations and proposals to create an archival system for private survey plans. Supporters of these reforms believe that a multifaceted approach combining technology, coordination, and legal changes offers the best path forward for addressing longstanding challenges in Sri Lanka's land administration system.
