News
Cash-strapped govt. leasing UDA assets to raise Rs. 21 bn
Uncollected taxes, penalties and interests amount to Rs 1,000 bn
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Urban Development and Housing Ministry yesterday (08) announced plans to raise Rs 21 bn by leasing state lands, over a period of three years, commencing 2024.
A statement issued by the Ministry quoted Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga as having said that lands currently held by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) would be leased for long term projects, undertaken jointly by the public and private sectors. Among a range of projects identified were information technology, hotel and health.
Minister Ranatunga, who is also the Chief Government Whip, said that he was confident of raising at least Rs 09 bn this year.
According to the statement, in terms of the proposed plan, over 60 projects have been identified in the Western, Southern, Central, Uva and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and proposals would be called this year in respect of 24 ventures. The lands, earmarked for leasing, are located in Fort, Galle Fort, Warakapola, Avissawella, Thalawathugoda, Kottawa, Ekala, Kandy, Narahenpita, Nawalapitiya, Balangoda, Kolonnawa, Wellawatte and Padukka.
Minister Ranatunga has directed the relevant authorities to expedite the process. Of the identified projects, agreements regarding were been finalized last year.
Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans Chairman Mahindananda Aluthgamage last week told The Island that the government wouldn’t have been in a deepening crisis today if revenue authorities accomplished what was expected of them.
The former minister said that the total amount of uncollected taxes, penalties and interests up to Dec 31, 2023, could be as much as Rs 1,000 bn.
The Urban Development and Housing Ministry said that a special mechanism had been established to provide necessary approvals within 09 and 120 days for projects that were submitted through the Board of Investment (BoI).
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
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With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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