Wednesday, 22nd October 2014
By Rathindra Kuruwita
An assessment of land disputes in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, in order to study the nature, scale and evolution of land disputes during the conflict period, is being conducted by the Asia Foundation and the Ministry of Justice.
With the data from the assessment the ministry will set up special Mediation Boards to facilitate the resolution of land-related issues and disputes in the two provinces.
"The setting up of Special Mediation Boards addresses Recommendation 9.104 in the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report. The Rapid Assessment was conducted in 27 Divisional Secretariat Divisions representing all eight districts in the North and East, and the sites were selected based on the high incidence of land disputes reported, as well as the composition of Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala ethnic representation and their specific issues with regard to land," National Plan of Action (NPoA) for the implementation of LLRC recommendations said.
The assessment provides an overview of the issues faced by the people, including the loss of documents, forged land documents, the loss or destruction of land records in government land registry offices at central, provincial, district and divisional levels, secondary occupation, encroachment of reservations, land alienation by unau thorized sources and the transfer of land through false deeds.
"In addition, the study finds vulnerabilities faced by displaced people and female heads of households," NPoA said.
From : http://www.ceylontoday.lk/51-76042-news-detail-assessment-of-land-disputes-in-n-e-in-progress.html
