2.5 million Sri Lankan families have been revealed to be illegal occupants of state lands.

Minister of Higher Education and Highways and the Leader of the House of Parliament Lakshman Kiriella said immediate steps were being taken to provide them rights to hold land they were occupying.

A bill was to be presented before parliament next month regarding the situation, the Minister said.  

Kiriella made this observation at a function held in Kandy.

He also stated the national government was established due to poor economic status of the country.