Land Development Ordinance

Land Development Ordinance No. 19 of 1935 was a legislation in British Ceylon by the State Council of Ceylon, during the transition to limited self-rule under the Donoughmore Constitution, to regulate the allocation, use, and development of state lands. Designed primarily to support agricultural colonization, especially in the Dry Zone.

Provisions of the Ordinance

The ordinance provided the legal authority for the state to alienate crown lands to landless individuals under specified conditions. Key features included:

Permits and Grants: Lands were distributed initially through permits and later converted to grants after fulfilling cultivation conditions.
Allotment Size: Land parcels typically ranged from 2.5 to 5 acres, suitable for subsistence farming.
Inalienability: Lands could not be sold, mortgaged, or leased without government approval, ensuring long-term use for agriculture rather than speculation.
Inheritance Rules: Only one heir could inherit land to prevent subdivision and preserve economic viability.
Administrative Supervision: The Land Commissioner’s Department was created to administer the program and ensure compliance.