A law to apparently improve people's absolute property rights while another declared policy is aimed at taking away existing liberties has raised queries whether the moves are intended to benefit interest persons, a legislator has said.
Harsha de Silva, a legislator said an amendment proposed to section 06 of Sri Lanka's Finance Act of 1963 removed a 100 percent tax imposed on sales of land to foreign nationals.
But the administration has declared that they will ban the sale of freehold land to foreigners and a cabinet paper has also been submitted to that effect.
"During the intervening between the repealing part 06 (of the Finance Act) and totally banning the sale of land interested parties can complete outstanding transactions without tax," de Silva, an opposition member said.
"That is a legitimate question arises from this."
It is not clear whether the administration has decided not to ban the sale of land to foreigners.