The need to establish a national digital land information system to improve transparency and prevent land fraud has been highlighted at a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability.

The committee, chaired by Member of Parliament Hector Appuhamy, reviewed the challenges facing the country’s land administration sector and discussed reforms needed to make the system more efficient.

Officials proposed linking land-related information through an integrated digital platform containing details of ownership, boundaries and other relevant information on state lands, according to a statement issued by the Department of Communication of Parliament.

They said a system based on GPS coordinates could help reduce fraudulent activities involving forged deeds and the misuse of state land.

The committee also discussed coordination problems between institutions responsible for land administration, including the Land Reform Commission and the Mahaweli Authority, particularly over land ownership and boundary demarcation.

Committee members stressed that legal and administrative reforms, digitalization and stronger coordination among government institutions were essential to improving the land administration system.

Meanwhile, the committee approved a Bill to amend the Animals Act No. 29 of 1958, bringing the transportation of goats, pigs and sheep under the Act’s regulatory framework. The amendments are aimed at strengthening measures to control animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease.

A proposal to amend the Survey Act No. 17 of 2002 was also considered, with discussions focusing on establishing a legal framework for the archiving of private survey plans prepared by licensed surveyors and enabling the public to obtain certified copies.