Chamal has given Mahaweli lands to political acquaintances: SJB MP

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

Colombo, May 22 (Daily Mirror) - Former Minister Chamal Rajapaksa had given acres of Mahaweli lands to political acquaintances without any basis, SJB MP Hesha Vithanage alleged today.

He told Parliament that Mahaweli lands in the Walawe zone in Embilipitiya had been given to various people without any feasibility studies being carried out. 

The MP urged the government to review the process of granting Mahaweli lands in the Walawe zone and take over the lands which had not been put into any productive use.

"These lands must be given to people who actually cultivate or hope to start viable projects," he said.

Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation Susil Ranasinghe said investigations have been launched into some lands and said that if complaints were made on particular lands, investigations could be launched.