The implication of land reform in the planned developmnent of rural settlement with special reference to Ratnapura district

Abstract

Sri Lanka rural population trill be strongly influenced by the a process of land reform introduced by/government in 1972. These reforms have vested over a million acres with the state and also nationalised the ownership of large plantations or estates in the country. These will enable the opportunity to effectively plan the rural sector with a stronger economic base and less limitations; of ownership. A planning study of the rural settlements in the context of the opportunities offered by land reform is timely. This dissertaion is an attempt in this direction. The study is divided into three Parts comprising eight chapters. The first chapter of Part I penetrates into the historical background of land reforms and discussed the magnitude of the problem faced by settlements. The second chapter deals wit hthe provisions and objectives of Land Reform Law No.I of 1972 and its amendment Law No.39 of 1975. In this an attempt has been made to identify the various features of the Law and its impending results on the rural settlements. Chapter three has discucced the condition of the rural settlements before the introduction of land reform of 1972 with special reference to the Ratnapura District. This chapter has particularly attempted a study of the changing pattern of the rusal settlements. The next chapter has discussed the organisational features pertaining to the development of rural settlements taking note of the Land Reform Commission and of the existig structure of Central Government and Local Government institutions. Necessity to have a better understanding and co-ordination has been pointed out. part II comprises the analysis of the study and has three chapters. It has critically evaluated and analysed the Facters that related to land reform policies in term of rural settlements with specific attention to Ratnapura Si strict. Thus chapter five has analysed the structural and spatial changes envisaged or brought in by land reform specifically in Ratnapura. It has evaluated the value of intergrating the estate settlements which existed independently with the rural settlements. Development of local townships and rural settlements with the purpose of bringing in some balance received special attention here, ghapter six has critically evaluated the planning-organisation of rural settlements. This has been followed in chapter seven with the implications of land reform for settlement planning through.the Local Authority who are the statutory planning agencies for settlements. In the context of chapters six and seven the introduced nev principles of land alienation has also been discussed. In addition the necessity to have a closer contact with the local authorities has been raised. The Janawasa (new settlement schemes)introduced the land reform has also been critically discussed in this Part. It has pointed out the need for comprehensive planning of settlement established under the Janawasas. Part III include the conclusions and the recommendations of this study.