Before you pay for land in Sri Lanka, have an attorney-at-law check the title, read the deed and survey plan, and confirm what you may build. This short guide shows how. It is general guidance, not legal advice.
What should you decide before buying land in Sri Lanka?
Decide what the land is for first. It shapes every other choice. Still choosing between a plot and a finished home? Read what buyers look for in a new home.
How is land measured and priced in Sri Lanka?
On LankaNewHomes, 259 of the 349 land listings publish a price per perch, from Rs. 65,000 to Rs. 6,950,000. To see what an acre looks like, open the 1 acre land page.
What documents should you check when buying land?
Check two documents: the deed and the survey plan. Ask to see both.
How do you check the title of land in Sri Lanka?
Ask an attorney-at-law to trace the title at the Land Registry before you pay. It is the most important step, and worth paying for.
What can you build on the land you buy?
Only what the approvals allow. A plot is worth what you can legally do on it, so ask the local authority which approvals your building needs.
What should you check when you visit the land?
Visit more than once, at different times of day, and after rain if you can.
- A plot behind other plots needs a legal right of way. Ask to see it in the deed.
- Ask about road widening or other public projects nearby. Our neighbourhood guides describe many areas, and the rural land listings cover plots outside Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara.
What are the costly mistakes when buying land?
Five mistakes cause most of the damage.
