Southern Development Authority of Sri Lanka Act 1996 (No. 18 of 1996).

The Act provides for the establishment of the Southern Development Authority of Sri Lanka. Objects of the Authority shall be to: (a) plan and implement development plans in the designated area; (b) carry out studies of the projects identified in the overall plan for the designated area, on the basis of priority criteria; (c) secure the cooperation of the authorities concerned in carrying out the above-mentioned studies and in implementing the development projects. For the purpose of performing its duties the Authority may make arrangements or contracts with Government Departments, local authorities, public corporations and any other institutions, whether public or private, delegate either generally or in relation to specific matters any person to act for and on its behalf in any place outside Sri Lanka and give special or general directions to any Department or Corporation with respect to development projects. According to the provisions of section 17, subsection (1) any land or interest in land which is required by the Authority for any its purposes, shall be deemed to be required for a public purpose and may accordingly be acquired under the Land Acquisition Act and transferred to the Authority. Subsection (2) sets out the criteria to be taken into account for determining the amount of compensation to be paid. Further provisions concern the financial management and staff of the Authority.