Minister Rishad Bathiudeen said today he would resign if anyone could prove allegations that he caused damage to the Wilpattu sanctuary and resettled people within the sanctuary boundaries.

“There were numerous reports which state that I have given land to families within the Wilpattu National Park. There were displaced people who were temporarily resettled in adjacent villages. I have no power to give land to anyone. I challenge anyone to prove these allegations. If proven, I will resign from my Ministerial post,” he said. (Chathushika Wijesinghe and Jehan Gunasekara)


 


Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana