Araliya Hotel not located within a reservoir reserve, then what’s there to remove? - Lalkantha

By Shane Senevirathna

Araliya Hotel is not situated within any reservoir reserve, so what is there to remove from the reserve? quipped Agriculture and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha. Responding to a question posed by a journalist on the controversy over the Araliya Hotel in Polonnaruwa during his visit to participate in the Kandy District Coordinating Committee meeting yesterday, the minister stressed that though he did not specifically name Dudley Sirisena when commenting on removal of unauthorized structures from reservoir reserves, widespread discussion on social media and among the public had compelled him to comment on the matter.

He further clarified that although the Araliya Hotel is not inside a reservoir reserve, the issue of unauthorized occupants residing in actual reservoir lands remains a serious concern. Minister Lalkantha emphasized that all such illegal settlers will be removed without exception as part of a broader effort to protect water reserves.