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OPA:
Don't allow foreigners to buy land in little Lanka The OPA appeal comes in the wake of The Sunday Times Special Assignment expose on how land prices in the southern coastal belt have gone up due to foreign nationals purchasing land and how this new phenomenon had prevented the locals from buying land. The OPA in its appeal to the President noted that the previous UNF regime in an apparent revenue boosting move as per 2003 budget proposals lifted legislation that imposed a special tax of 100% on any property purchase by a foreign national. This tax to a large extent prevented land belonging to Sri Lankans being sold to foreigners, the OPA added. It also said the short-sighted policy in removing the earlier applicable taxes had allowed foreigners to buy land, houses and villas and operate them as holiday homes for themselves and their friends with even some of these places being maintained exclusively for foreigners. "The OPA is of the firm view no person other than a citizen of Sri Lanka be permitted to own land or other immovable property of this island of 25,000 square miles," the appeal said noting that countries such as Singapore and Switzerland permit only their citizens to buy and own land. The OPA claimed it believed that the relaxation of the law had brought little economic benefit to the country because transactions are concluded through well-organised Internet communication system. "We are of the view that preliminary and urgent steps should be taken by the appropriate state authorities to enact legislation to prohibit purchase or lease of immovable property in Sri Lanka by foreigners and also for the reclaim of the properties purchased by them," the OPA appeal said. |
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