1. 1

   Submit a formal written request to the Divisional Secretary of Mulatiyana, declaring your landless status and expressing interest in allocation.

2. 2

   Attend the public Land Kachcheri session scheduled by the DS, where allocations are made transparently based on statutory eligibility.

3. 3

   The local Grama Niladhari will physically inspect the allotted plot and file an official confirmation report regarding development and boundaries.

4. 4

   Following approval, the DS issues the official permit under Section 19 of the Land Development Ordinance, systematically mapped and registered.

5. 5

   Ensure annual renewal is maintained exclusively for commercial permits. Neglecting use conditions may result in cancellation.

• Proof of Citizenship (State land can only be alienated to citizens)
• Formal written request addressed to the Divisional Secretary
• Original and clear copy of your NIC
• Grama Niladhari certificate verifying local residence and landless status
• Sworn affidavit declaring that your total landholding is below 50 acres
• Evidence of eligibility class (e.g. low-income family, agricultural worker, or educated youth)

1. 1

   Submit a request to your Grama Niladhari to initiate the conversion. The GN reviews physical development and submits progress reports.

2. 2

   The Land Officer conducts a site visit to verify and certify the productive utilization of the allotment.

3. 3

   Our division requests the Survey Department to execute a precise survey, place boundary stones, and draft an official plan.

4. 4

   The DS office prepares the Grant documentation, routing it through the Provincial Land Commissioner for clearance.

5. 5

   The verified application is presented to the Presidential Secretariat for the President's signature.

6. 6

   Upon receipt, you settle a nominal Rs. 100 registration fee. The title is formally registered and the deed is delivered to you.

• An active, undisputed LDO Permit for the parcel
• Evidence of significant physical development (e.g. permanent residence or active farming)
• Full settlement of all previous LDO annual dues
• Submission of the original LDO permit to our office
• Valid NIC of the permit holder
• Relevant registered Land Registry folios (sourced on your behalf by our office)

1. 1

   Collect Form LC 155 from the Land Branch at Mulatiyana DS (issued entirely free of charge).

2. 2

   Complete the form in triplicate, appending a Rs. 25 revenue stamp to each copy. Certification is executed at our counters free of charge.

3. 3

   All three certified copies are submitted to the Registrar of Lands for Matara. One registered duplicate is returned to you for safekeeping.

4. 4

   To update or change your nominee, submit a fresh Form LC 155. This action automatically supersedes and cancels all prior nominations.

In the absence of a registered nominee, succession is determined strictly by the LDO's Third Schedule:

• The surviving spouse holds the primary right to succeed, inheriting a lifelong interest in the land.
• Following the spouse's demise, rights transfer to direct descendants and occupants.
• Heirs must submit applications to our office within 6 months of the holder's passing.
• Any structural or positional inheritance disputes are investigated and adjudicated by the Divisional Secretary.

1. A

   Annual Permit (State Lands Ordinance) — suitable for short-term agricultural or light residential utilization of state land, managed via annual renewals.

2. B

   Long-Term Lease (30 Years) — designed for commercial, industrial, or religious setups. Proposals are submitted to the DS, who routes them to the Land Commissioner General.

3. C

   Special Presidential Leases — may be approved at nominal rates for charitable, educational, or welfare organizations. Processed directly through this office.

4. D

   Transfer & Mortgage — long-term leases can be transferred or mortgaged to recognized institutions, subject to prior authorization by the Land Commissioner.

• A formal written request addressed to the Mulatiyana Divisional Secretary
• Detailed project/utilization plan explaining intended activities
• An accurate sketch or official survey plan of the target plot
• Grama Niladhari certificate verifying the applicant's background and residence
• Valid NIC of the applicant
• For organizations: certified copies of Business Registration or incorporation documents

1. 1

   The DS is authorized under the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Ordinance to issue formal notices to eject illegal occupants from state lands.

2. 2

   If the occupant refuses to vacate, an inquiry is held. The burden of proof lies entirely on the occupant to demonstrate lawful state-granted title.

3. 3

   If no lawful title can be shown, a judicial eviction order is issued. Any structures built on the property are subject to demolition at the occupant's expense.

4. 4

   If an external party is encroaching on your permit or grant land, lodge a written dispute with the DS along with a survey plan for boundary verification.

• Prescription cannot be claimed against the State. Prolonged occupancy, even over decades, does not generate any ownership rights.
• All waste, forest, unoccupied, and uncultivated lands are legally presumed to be State Land under the State Lands Encroachments Ordinance.
• The previous scheme for the regularization of encroachments has been formally canceled. There are no active regularization mechanisms.
• Unauthorized construction on state property constitutes a summary offense and results in demolition without compensation.

• Buying & Selling Private Land — Must be drafted by a licensed Notary Public and formally registered at the District Land Registry.
• Deed Registration & Title Searches — Handled by the Registrar General's Department / District Land Registry in Matara.
• Official Surveying & Boundaries — Under the purview of the Survey Department. Complex boundary disputes must be filed in Civil Court.
• Ancestral Title Settlement — Managed by the national Department of Land Settlement.
• Valuation for Stamp Duty — Evaluated by the Valuation Department.
• Prescription (Adverse Possession) — Litigated via Matara District Court (Note: This does not apply to state property).

• Land Registry, Matara — Deed lookups, registrations, and encumbrance checks.
• Survey Department, Matara — Boundary plans, cadastral mapping, and surveys.
• Matara District Secretariat — District approvals.
• Land Settlement Department — landsettledept.gov.lk
• Land Commissioner General — landcom.gov.lk
• National Survey Department — survey.gov.lk