Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2019-03-26

Re-enacting of the Prescription (Special Provisions) Act, to provide a period of relief to enable the persons affected due to the conflict situation, to resort to legal measures in respect of their properties

- The Prescription (Special Provisions) Act, No.05 of 2016 was enacted with a view to providing special legal provisions in respect of persons who were unable to claim their rights in Courts, for the recovery of immovable property including lands, during the conflict situation which prevailed in the past. This Act, provides to exempt disadvantaged persons from the provisions of the Prescription Ordinance and entitles them to institute an action in Courts within a period of two years from the date of coming into operation of the Act. It has been observed that and adequate period of time has to be given to prepare the misplaced documents during the conflict period or to collect the evidence relevant to the ownership of the lands and to make the relevant persons aware of this Act. As such, the proposal made by Hon. (Mrs.) Thalatha Atukorala, the Minister of Justice & Prison Reforms, to re‑enact the Prescription (Special Provisions) Act to make legislation to extend the period of operation of this Act, by a further period of three years, was approved by the Cabinet.