Tiran Alles ridicules judiciary!

Wednesday, 09 April 2014 

 


.Gateway Institute at Koswatte in Nawala, owned by the family of Tiran Alles, is ignoring a Supreme Court ruling and going ahead with the construction of a swimming pool without a valid license, according to reports reaching us.

The facility began to be built in February 2013 on a construction license no: ME/BA/N/09/08 of Febraury 2008. However, gazette extraordinary 392/9 of 10 March 1986 makes this license valid only for one year period from the date of issue. By the time the swimming pool began to be built, the license had expired.

Furthermore, as per the development plan 2008-2020 of Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Municipal Council issued by the Urban Development Authority in April 2008, the area in question has been declared a highly residential area, and swimming pools are not included in the list of approved constructions. The Environmental Authority has confirmed that no required document has been obtained as per regulations for this construction.

When contacted, the UDA’s internal sources said the construction work began in 2008 on the orders from the top and no proper inquiry had taken
place.

Taking up a case filed by a neighbour, the Supreme Court on 05 February 2014 issued an order preventing further construction work until the conclusion of the hearing.

However, considering a motion filed by president’s counsel Romesh Silva who appears on behalf of Gateway Institute, the Supreme Court on 10 March 2014 permitted only for the laying of tiles in a concrete layer and ordered that no new construction should take place. Now, the courts are on vacation, and ignoring the order, further constructions are taking place.

According to reports, the complainant is to go to courts once again, since this amounts to a contempt of court. For that, the Kotte mayor is getting the backing of Welikada police and top police officials of Colombo. It is rather questionable as to whether Tiran Alles and family can act in this manner, disregarding a Supreme Court ruling, due to their wealth, political or any other power.