President Ranil Wickremesinghe praised the government’s groundbreaking decision to grant free land rights to the people at the inauguration ceremony for distributing freehold land deeds to Mahaweli settlers. He highlighted that this initiative, unprecedented globally, aims to uplift low-income individuals and promote economic equity. The President urged active participation in the government’s Agricultural Modernisation Programme, emphasizing Polonnaruwa’s potential as a significant export district and calling for unity to ensure a prosperous future for the youth.
The Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority (SLMA) plans to prepare 204,002 freehold deeds, with initial distribution targeting 20,178 Mahaweli settlers by May’s end. During the event, symbolic of this distribution, the President personally handed out deeds, emphasizing the significance of land ownership and the program’s role in securing permanent rights for citizens. He underscored the program’s revolutionary nature, extending beyond agriculture to housing, benefiting all residents, including those in apartments.
The President highlighted the government’s economic stabilization efforts, including salary increases, support for low-income individuals, and economic recovery initiatives. He urged collaboration in advancing the Agriculture Modernisation Programme, backed by international partnerships, and called on all sectors to unite for economic growth over the next few years. Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Minister Pavitradevi Wanniarachchi also praised the program’s transformative impact and its role in ensuring economic empowerment and stability.