Clarifying picture at Delkanda Land Registry

I wish to comment on the letter titled “Pitiful State of Land Registry Office, Delkanda – Panting upstairs and filling forms on a shelf” (Sunday Times, January 29, 2012), by ‘Disappointed’.

The writer starts off by saying there is no proper desk to sit at and fill forms obtained from the registry. In the fourth paragraph, he says there is a desk 3 feet by 1 1/2 feet for the purpose of filling forms. I have not only seen the said desk, but also unutilised counters that can be used, without having to bend in two, to fill forms. There are no chairs to sit in and fill forms in most Land Registries, including those of Colombo, Panadura and Horana.

The Delkanda Land Registry oc- cupies a part of the 3rd floor of the High Level Plaza Building with the Western Zonal Office of the Registrar General’s Department, the Registration of Title Office (Bimsaviya) and some private establishments. This building is owned by the Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte Municipal Council. The Land Registry is on a lease or tenancy. Although the writer says there is ample space, there is hardly any space to keep a table or a desk and chairs in the area occupied by the Delkanda Land Registry. Directions on how to fill the forms are displayed near the Application Counter, so you do not have to seek help from others.

It is strange that “Disappointed” should have missed the board that says the Land Registry is located between the two gates in front of the High Level Plaza Building. The name-board is put up near the statue of the Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera.

The car park does not belong to the Delkanda Land Registry or the Registrar General’s Department – it is the property of the Municipal Council. The MC charges a parking fee too. The Registrar of the Delkan- da Land Registry has no authority to prevent people from using the car park, whether they on business in the building or not.

On the ground floor of the High Level Plaza Building you will find the Gangodawila Sub-post Office and some communication centres that sell stamps. I don’t think the Registrar of the Delkanda Land Registry has the authority to set up a stamp-selling counter in the Land Registry.

There are many government offices and business establishments in the building where the Delkanda Land Registry is situated. But no one has installed a signboard pointing to the lift. However, I agree with “Disappointed” that it is not necessary to go to lawyers to get the forms filled. The owners of the properties can do so themselves.

As someone who regularly visits the Delkanda Land Registry on various official matters, I should say that almost all the members of the Delkanda Land Registry, including the Registrar of Lands and the Additional Registrars of Lands, are very helpful and always ready to help the general public.

In conclusion, I would say: Please check whether the name-board of the Delkanda Land Registry facing High Level Road has been removed.

I have a couple of suggestions for the Mayor of the Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Municipal Council: i. Install a sign pointing to the lift; ii. Stop those who have no business in the said premises from using the car park.

And I have a couple of suggestions for the Registrar General:

i. Set up stamp counters at every Land Registry, islandwide;

ii. Install desks or tables and chairs for members of the public to fill forms. R. A. Piyadasa

Moratuwa