Sri Lanka It's Happening

October 27, 2005

There are two kinds of home owners in Sri Lanka. Those buy their property and those who squat. Those who squat find great favour with politicians and vice verce.

Who ever wins the next presidential elections, squatters are in for a good time. Both candidates are trying to out do each other with their promise to give away state land to the so called landlass. While it may be true that there are very poor people not capable of owning their own property these land grants will not benefit the poor.

We have a situation in Sri Lanka where any vacant lot is fair game for squatters. They just go and occupy any vacant plot of land either in the heart of the city or in the most remote village. Then they go running to the local politician with a tale of woe.

The the politian starts set's the crooked axis of underworld, police and politicians themselves to work. Two things can now happen: If the land is state owned the politicians will pull the strings and get a deed granted to the squatter. If the land is a private property the politician will get a bribe from the land owner and have the squatters evicted. They will then squat somewhere else.

If the land is state owned, the politican will see to it that the squatters are granted a title. Then he has a bunch of thugs in his debt ever willing to do his bidding.

Thus the beneficiary from the land grants will be the politicians themselves.

Posted by raditha at October 27, 2005 2:05 PM