Questions over huge land deals

12 September 2011 08:00 pm - 4 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Questions are being asked as to why the Economic Development Ministry is allegedly circumventing tender procedures when giving out land for tourism in areas such as Kalpitiya in the Puttalam District and Kuchchaveli in the Trincomalee District.

Deputy Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane admitted in parliament last week that an open tender procedure was not being followed as a policy mater for the identification of investors for tourism development. “Sometimes, those who bid for tenders are not financially stable to make investments as expected by the government.

Therefore, we have devised a different model to select investors,” he said. Already, the government had identified hundreds of acres of land in different islands off Kalpitiya for investment. For instance 152.445 acres in the Ippantivu Island had been given out last year while the government had given 247 acres on the Island of Iramuthivu, 58 acres at Vellai, 67 acres at Kakativu, 110 acres at Periya Arachchilai, five acres at Sinna Iramuthivu, ten acres on Iramuthivu-west, 40 acres from Sinna Arachchilai, 292 acres from Baththalangunduwa, 150 acres from Palliyawatte and 1109 acres from Uchchimunai. Besides, 307 acres of private land had been earmarked by the government to be awarded to prospective investors. However, the identity of the owners of these land areas is yet to be established.

The government leased out 135 acres on the Ippantivu Island to a private company to construct a tourist resort with a 200-room capacity and 58 acres from Vellai to construct a 50-room hotel.

The annual lease income from the Ippantivu Island is Rs.4.2 million and from Vellai is Rs.1.060 million. The government has leased out 30 acres on Kuchchaveli for two separate tourrist projects.

These details were tabled in the House in response to a question by JVP MP Ajith Kumara. The minister admitted that the tender procedure was not followed in awarding these lands for investment. Mr. Kumara shot back at the government saying there were serious concerns about the transparency and accountability in carrying out these land deals in the absence of tender procedure. JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake also charged that no one would raise any concern had private lands belonging to ministers have been leased out in this manner. “Land is the property of future generations of this country. Nobody can lease out state property to individuals of their choice,” he said.

UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake said not only in Kalpitiya and Kuchachaveli, but also in areas such as Colombo, commercially viable lands were being leased out in this manner. The UNP MP also said there were serious issues of transparency in this case. “We also raised this issue in parliament. They admitted it openly. This is how corruption is taking place in the country. Corrupt practices are everywhere,” he charged. (Kelum Bandara)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 4

YURI Tuesday, 13 September 2011 04:43 AM

YEAH ITS A BIG SECRET

willowsw Tuesday, 13 September 2011 08:07 AM

reason is 10%

The God Father Tuesday, 13 September 2011 11:12 AM

And a known secret

firdhous Tuesday, 13 September 2011 11:51 AM

no matter public or secrete. It is the right step that government lease / rent property to private sector as a share holder in business which will increase government’s income of which more public welfare could be made. I hope the government should buy valuable lands and buildings and rent/lease to private sector for reasonable charges which is good for the very private sector / business community

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Questions over huge land deals

Comments - 4

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Gota fires back at Cardinal, rebuts allegations

Uma Oya Development Project inaugurated

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

Man who jumped off Sri Pada Uda Maluwa and went missing, found

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

MIRROR CRICKET

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Sri Lanka to establish new energy sector regulator

Cabinet nod to transfer China-built Mattala airport’s management to Indian, Russian joint venture

Sajith never attends dinners hosted by Ranil Wickremesinghe

One soldier dead, nine injured in road crash

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Dates confirmed for 78th Bradby Shield

SLAS appoints independent committee for investigation

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand