If eviction orders implemented properly, about a third of Colombo would be homeless – Justice Minister

21 October 2025 09:30 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 21 Bookmark

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Colombo, Oct. 21 (Daily Mirror) - If all pending eviction orders were to be implemented, about a third of Colombo’s population would be left homeless, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said.

He made these remarks in response to controversy surrounding a recent statement made by National People’s Power (NPP) MP Lakmali Hemachandra over her recent remarks on a court-ordered eviction.

The controversy arose after Hemachandra, during a Provincial Coordination Committee meeting in Colombo, appeared to urge officials not to enforce a court order to evict squatters from state land in Narahenpita.

Speaking at a private television programme, Minister Nanayakkara said he did not believe Hemachandra’s comments amounted to contempt of court.

Comments - 21

Jehan Tuesday, 21 October 2025 09:48 PM

Is he accusing that 1/3rd of citizen are illegal residents? It's time that these fat liars are take to task.

7 14

Umar Perera Wednesday, 22 October 2025 10:50 AM

No. What he is drawing attention to is that many poorer families in Colombo and other cities are squatters - illegally occupying official state lands - only because they have nowhere to live and cannot afford much.

1 10

One lie over another Tuesday, 21 October 2025 09:51 PM

Now I know where the NPP votes came from. Illegal squatters.

10 20

Yohan Tuesday, 21 October 2025 10:09 PM

This guy is also challenging the court rulings and is a contempt of court case. If the houses or shops built are illegal, no question they should be removed. What government should do is build them apartments similar to what past governments have done. For example take flats near Shalika Grounds. Those were done by Mangala S when shantied had to be removed. Work without talking rubbish

5 21

Sam J Wednesday, 22 October 2025 12:53 PM

People who are living in the lands of UDA is the ones in question...most of these suarters were given apartments in falts in various locations but they dont live in them, they rent them and come back to the same old place

0 2

Darcey Tuesday, 21 October 2025 10:32 PM

Kind of a silly statement so who decides who to stay, this is a good example where justice is not measured with the same yard stick for all

1 15

Ganesh Wednesday, 22 October 2025 12:20 AM

Should do it but won’t do it as they will lose their vote base. Uphold the law like you promised.

1 12

Ram P Wednesday, 22 October 2025 02:36 AM

Politicians must not play with court orders giving reasons for non execution. If one third will be homeless action should have been delayed until the government was ready to provide alternate accommodation

1 11

Bandara Gamage Wednesday, 22 October 2025 04:11 AM

Minister where did you come up with these statistics? Make it up?

1 10

Passenger Wednesday, 22 October 2025 04:54 AM

Pavement hawkers should be removed at all costs. There's hardly any space for pedestrians on pavements. They should all be stationed in one building or area or something like that. Also, please stop beggars getting into buses and trains. They leave leaflets and such on the laps of passengers by force!! At times they get very angry if they're not given money and scolds the passengers! I saw once how a beggar even got into an argument and a fight with a passenger!

1 14

Abd Wednesday, 22 October 2025 11:09 AM

Even booths of lottery sellers, most put up on pavement pushing pedestrians to danger, as an example,one front of Kohuwala police station and few near Colombo south hospital

0 3

R Navaratnam Wednesday, 22 October 2025 04:57 AM

Court orders shall not be compromised by anyone including Current administration. So unnecessary comments by MPP/Ministers are not necessary.

2 9

wsw Wednesday, 22 October 2025 05:28 AM

Introduce a 2-3 year moratorium for squatters to vacate, enforce it after that period to the letter of the law. All homeless entities should register in an orderly manner with the authorities for relief. The government should simultaneously coordinate to subsidise housing or relocation but nothing should be given free of charge to anyone. Also I am told, some recipients of free/subsidised housing, end up renting out to others for an additional source of income and deliberately go back to square one. This too should be monitored and administered to ensure tax payer funded assistance is not abused.

1 7

lion Wednesday, 22 October 2025 06:14 AM

Opposition only brings the part of the statement and trying to project it as contempt of curt. This shows of their frustration in achieving power.

7 7

Spartacus Wednesday, 22 October 2025 06:30 AM

It is a unpopular move, but all these eviction orders need to be implemented. Most of these squatters are used by Politicians as vote banks. The land taken over by squatters are parts of roadways, parking areas causing much inconvenience and constraints to public. These squatters have even obtained electricity connections and water lines through Politicians. Past Politicians have messed this Nation. We need to make heartless decisions if change needs to happen.

0 12

Perera Wednesday, 22 October 2025 07:08 AM

If that is the fact, then do not make applications to court seeking orders for eviction. If orders are sought for eviction and orders are given execute the court order giving credence to the rule of law. Please do not make public statements saying ministerial orders have been given to the police not to enforce the court order. Such conduct makes a mockery of the legal system and a direct challenge to the rule of law. It also makes it obvious that the police is being politicised. Also remember that all this is fodder for the starving opposition.

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What’s the right course of action? Wednesday, 22 October 2025 09:44 AM

Support their relocation to a suitable place respectfully and in full compliance with the court order.

1 12

D P P Prasad Wednesday, 22 October 2025 09:44 AM

The housing flats that were built up during the regime of R Premadas were occupied by his stalwarts without any legal rights. By means of their votes Mr Premadasa won the number of elections with vast majority specially from the Colombo district. Certain housing flats that are squatted by the people are still occupying the such housing complexes without a proper legal proof. If the ejection orders are executed these occupants will be rendered homeless. The comment of the justice minister in this regard is very correct

0 6

Adwani Wednesday, 22 October 2025 10:12 AM

Some land grabbing crooks are behind forceful occupation of government and private properties. Despite allotments to them by the government they appear again on others lands. Investigations in the past and media photos revealed their presence.

0 7

It is contempt of court. Wednesday, 22 October 2025 10:19 AM

It is contempet of court, you as a lawyer should know that. Thr MP Lakmali is also supposed to be a lawyer, how could she have even said what she did in public. if there was an issue in following court order due to reasons you have mentioned here, one should go back to the court and Appel. If people start not implementing court orders then what’s the use of courts ? Then in that sense the director Genral of immigration who didn’t follow court order on the visa issue is also not guilty of contempt.

1 11

Kandy whip Wednesday, 22 October 2025 03:14 PM

What a silly statement is this. If goes by it the rights of people who filed these court cases and got verdicts in their favour are openly violated as actions are not taken by authorities who feel they can ignore these rulings. This is aiding corruption and a statement like this coming from a minister of the government which came to power to abolish corruption to promote rule based governance, is laughable and pathetic

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