Instead of the method of registering documents to confirm the ownership of a land, the Registration of Title Act, No. 21 of 1998 (the Act relevant to the Bim Saviya program) was established to register the absolute ownership of the land indicating the title and the nature of the title under a unique, exclusive number, incorporating a cadastral map (plan) that mentions the location, boundaries, and extent of the land, along with a state guarantee.
Institutions Involved In Implementing This Program
Survey Department
- Preparation of cadastral maps for the land being claimed / Issuance of copies thereof.
Land Title Settlement Department
- Settling the title of the relevant land parcel
- Conducting inquiries in accordance with Section 55 of the Act and confirming subsequent ownership.
Registrar General’s Department
- Registering the title based on the schedules received from the Title Settlement Department based on the aforementioned cadastral map.
- Registration of subsequent transactions related to the said land.
- Issuance of extract copies.
- Maintenance of the e-Title data system.
- Maintenance of the Title Insurance Fund.
Offices Where This Program Is Implemented
Title registration is implemented in the following land registration offices.
- Delkanda
- Homagama
- Awissawella
- Gampaha
- Negombo
- Attanagalla
- Anuradhapura
- Kandy
- Gampola
- Ratnapura
- Hambantota
- Tangalle
- Kurunegala
- Kuliyapitiya
- Monaragala
- Badulla
- Polonnaruwa
- Trincomalee
- Matale
- Nuwaraeliya
- Kalutara
- Panadura
- Horana
- Galle
- Matara
- Kegalle
- Puttalam
- Marawila
- Kundasale
- Elpitiya
- Mahara
- Narammala
- Nikaweratiya
- Embilipitiya
- Jaffna
- Vavuniya
- Kilinochchi
- Mullaitivu
- Colombo
Benefits of This System
Ownership is strengthened as it receives the full guarantee of the state.
- Accurate information regarding the location of the land is confirmed by the Title Certificate.
- As the Survey Department is responsible for the plan, there is no need to obtain copies of plans repeatedly.
- Transactions become much easier as there is no need to seek legal advice when selling or buying a land that has a Title Certificate.
- The Title Certificate receives higher recognition than a deed.
- This system minimizes land disputes, frauds, and irregularities.
- For a land for which a Title Certificate has been issued under this system, land cases cannot be filed under the Partition Law. (Section 63 of the Registration of Title Act, No. 21 of 1998)
- Similarly, actions cannot be taken under the Prescription Ordinance.
By the year 2025, approximately one million (1,000,000) Title Certificates have been distributed to landowners.
Title Insurance Fund - Compensation During Title Settlement / Registration
Under the supervision of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and upon the management of the Registrar General of Title, compensation ordered by a court is paid from the Title Insurance Fund established under the Registration of Title Act, No. 21 of 1998.
The following matters are included in relation to the Title Insurance Fund:
- Compensation is paid solely upon a court order in accordance with the provisions of Sections 58(2), 59, and 60 of the Registration of Title Act, No. 21 of 1998.
- Applying for Compensation - Where a court is satisfied that a registration has been obtained by fraud, the court may order the register to be rectified. If any person suffers a loss or damage based on the rectification or non-rectification of the register upon such an order, that person is entitled to apply for compensation.
- When applying for compensation in connection with a fraudulent or erroneous registration regarding any land or any interest in a land, an action claiming compensation must be filed in court within three years of its occurrence.
- Include the following in the plaint:
- The name or names of the person or persons claiming that a loss has occurred.
- The identity of the land or the interest therein due to the registration of which a loss has occurred.
- The name or names of the person or persons alleged to have caused the loss.
- An assessment of the loss assessed by a qualified valuer.
In an instance where the court orders compensation to be paid, if no appeal has been filed against the court order, compensation will be paid within three months from the date of the court order. If delayed for more than three months, legal interest will be paid on the remaining balance to be paid until the full amount is settled.
