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Private Co. grabs Muturajawela land for housing scheme

15 March 2018 08:18 am - 30     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Environmentalists are perturbed about a private company alienating 406 acres from the Muthurajawela sanctuary to construct a housing scheme.

Environmentalist Sajeewa Chamikara of the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reforms said the Agrarian Services Department had permitted the private company to construct a housing complex on the recommendation of a senior official of the Department in the Gampaha District.

He pointed out that Rs.32,551 million had been paid by the company to the Agrarian Services Department for 65,102 perches at the rate of Rs.500 a perch.

Mr. Chamikara said the clearing of this wetland, rich in bio-diversity would result in an extensive environmental damage.

“Muthurajawela is the largest coastal marshy land in the country spreading over a vast area from Kelani River to the Negombo Lagoon. It is rich in endemic birds and animals and mangroves unique to the area. Muthurajawela had been a smiling tract of paddy fields but due to the flow of seawater through the Hamilton Canal constructed by the British it turned unfit for agriculture,” Chamikara said.

He said that the government in 1965 planned to construct houses in Muturajawela for the shanty dwellers in Colombo. However, it was abandoned on the advice of the environmentalists who explained the importance of Muthurajawela as an environmental zone rich in biodiversity.

“However the Agrarian Services Department has taken the step to alienate a vast area of 406 acres for a housing scheme regardless of its environmental damage,” he said.

He further said the amending environmental and forest conservation regulations for the benefit of the investors under the free economy should immediately come to an end or else the country would soon be a parched-up desert.


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  Comments - 30

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  • r86 Thursday, 15 March 2018 08:25 AM

    Iam clueless on Government. ...Sooo sorry Sri Lanka... via DM Android App

    lkboy Thursday, 15 March 2018 10:27 AM

    where are the SDG 2030 commitments?

    GC Thursday, 15 March 2018 02:27 PM

    Who is the Minister responsible for the Environment?

    Refaideen Thursday, 15 March 2018 08:56 AM

    State institutions are failing. End of the day nothing will be left to sell.

    Jim Thursday, 15 March 2018 08:58 AM

    Please sort out the arithmetic here.

    Labby Thursday, 15 March 2018 10:25 AM

    65,102 perches @ 500.00 per perch is 32,551,000.00 So what's wrong with the arithmetic? What is wrong is the price per perch, not that this land should be sold in the first place.

    Mohamed Thursday, 15 March 2018 08:58 AM

    65,102 perches at the rate of 500 per perch is 32,551,000/- (32 million approx) Not 32,551 million. This means 32 billion approx.

    Ranil Thursday, 15 March 2018 09:00 AM

    Expose the company please.These people who work against the interests of the country and her next generations should be exposed completely

    Huna Thursday, 15 March 2018 10:18 AM

    A compnay cannot do it alone ,there must be a minister who sold the lad for a nice CUT

    ANTON Thursday, 15 March 2018 09:05 AM

    .......AND , SOON MUTHURAJAWELA WILL BECOME WATTALA TOWN AND WATTALA TOWN WILL BECOME MUTHURAJAWELA.

    Sid Thursday, 15 March 2018 09:23 AM

    Sixty five thousand one hundred and two at the rate of 500 is thirty two million five hundred and fifty one thousand.thats an apartment price in Colombo for 406 acres of land.

    pala Thursday, 15 March 2018 09:28 AM

    with the blessing of some politicians once they broke jogging path in one night to find better access to forth coming housing projects, this too may be with their help?

    nature lover Thursday, 15 March 2018 09:35 AM

    Yahapalanaya has already sold the country's valuables to foreigners. Badurdeen destroyed the wilpattu forest

    Thomas Thursday, 15 March 2018 09:41 AM

    CANCEL THE SALE , AND JAIL THE ERRAND OFFICIALSAre they trying to destroy this beautiful Island's nature ?

    homer Thursday, 15 March 2018 09:47 AM

    this govt will mark the end of this country as we know it - soon this will become a drought stricken land of famine and there'll be no turning back. thank you public for voting this govt in to power.

    Sharon Thursday, 15 March 2018 09:52 AM

    I am speechless... Mona pawak da me...

    Sharon Thursday, 15 March 2018 12:35 PM

    Recently they put up a green colour fence along the highway. Is it to cover what is going on in Muthurajawela???? Now I have a reasonable doubt...

    wiren Thursday, 15 March 2018 10:23 AM

    This is a disgrace. What is the president doing about it? He who spoke so much about the environment and protection is allowing this? Shame on you Sirisena!

    Saman J Thursday, 15 March 2018 10:43 AM

    pathetic politicians will destroy and ruin every corner of our wonderful country,

    Jehan Thursday, 15 March 2018 10:51 AM

    JR sold state land to his supporters for Rs 1 per perch. So Rs 500 per perch is some kind of a win for the country lol.

    Pramod Fernando Thursday, 15 March 2018 10:58 AM

    Yahapalanaya going at it's best. Come on Mr President.

    Brainmaster Thursday, 15 March 2018 11:22 AM

    Absolutely stupid decision. Somebody has to stop it. Who is behind it Why no names given Who are this officials We have a right to be informed. via DM Android App

    critical observer Thursday, 15 March 2018 12:22 PM

    62 lak behind this . what a shame

    nirmalath Thursday, 15 March 2018 11:58 AM

    Dear President,Being in charge of environment, please answer this question of destruction of our land. Nothing has been done to the environment, since the time you came to power.Please stop this immediately.

    Ahamed Thursday, 15 March 2018 12:01 PM

    Capitalism induce Racism to make more deals like these under the table bcz people will be busy fighting eachother which will make much more easy to grab more public wealth without the knowledge of public.burn house it will effect the family.burn a business it will effect the society.burn a forest it will effect the whole of humanity.

    Sanath Thursday, 15 March 2018 12:11 PM

    The President, as the Minister in charge of Enviorenment. is a total faliure.

    Nalini Thursday, 15 March 2018 02:13 PM

    Who is this company?Rs 500/perch to the government.Probablly Rs 5,000,000/per perch bribes.

    dickie bird Thursday, 15 March 2018 07:23 PM

    OMG...........Is this what Yahapalanaya promised ?? This is a curse in the making.

    Km Friday, 16 March 2018 09:25 AM

    Name the company, individuals please.. otherwise it could just be another rumour. It can't be that hard to get proper facts.

    Ash Friday, 16 March 2018 04:43 PM

    Make it 1000 rupees a perch and allow the citizens to bid.


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