New system replaces deed registration of property

Seminar on registration of title to property will be held on October 30 at the Excel World auditorium T.B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo from 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. organised by the Alumni Association of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) Sri Lanka.

The seminar will educate and inform the public of the new system of registration affecting immovable property.

It is organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Land Development, Ministry of Justice and Law Reforms and Association of Corporate Lawyers of Sri Lanka.

The Registration of Title Act of 1998 (RTA) replaces deeds registration with registration of title to lands in areas where its application has been introduced by Gazette. Under this new system, ownership of land is based on a Certificate of Title.

The main objective of title registration is to grant government guaranteed land title to private land owners. A system of stable property rights without labour intensive searches enhances the credibility and marketability of lands. This is a great incentive to entrepreneurs and the private sector, which is the backbone of the economy of our country.

Presentations will be made by eminent resource personnel having knowledge and expertise on the subject. Topics/Issues that will be discussed at this Seminar include: What is Registration of Title? Why is it introduced to developing nations with a government undertaking to protect private land rights in contrast to the deed registration system?; The process, procedure of Title Registration and the need for connected cadastral maps; Title Registration and benefits of insurance of title; Experiences of other countries; main features of the Registration of Title Act (RTA) of Sri Lanka, the proposed amendments, and regulations. Presentations, including pre recorded ones, will be made by a panel including; Prof. J. David Stanfield, PhD, Land Tenure Specialist, University of Wisconsin, USA; Ms. Maya Nanayakkara, Solicitor, Australia; P.M.P. Udayakantha, Senior Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Lands and Land Development; Ms. Joyce Palmer, University of Oklahoma, College of Law, USA; Ms. Kirthimala Gunasekera, Attorney-at-Law; Nihal Jayamanne, President's Counsel and K. Neelakandan, Partner Law Firm M/s. Murugesu & Neelakandan.