IUSF demands Basil-linked Malwana property be handed over for public use

Colombo, May 14 (Daily Mirror) - Members of the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) staged a protest today (14), demanding that the controversial Malwana property allegedly linked to former Minister Basil Rajapaksa be handed over for public use, including for universities facing space shortages.

The protest was held at the Malwana estate, which spans nearly 15 acres and has previously been described as an “ownerless property.”

Student activists said the demonstration was aimed at reminding the current government of its pledge to “return to the people the properties stolen from the people” after coming to power.

IUSF representatives called on authorities to allocate the land and house for university-related purposes as well as other public uses, arguing that many universities continue to struggle with infrastructure and land constraints while valuable State-controlled properties remain underutilised.

Members of the federation also occupied the property during the protest, claiming the estate should be used for the benefit of the public rather than left unused.

The property had earlier been taken over by the Ministry of Justice after no legal owner was identified.