Minister vs Minister

BY STANLEY SAMARASINGHE BY SHAAHIDA RIZA- 2016-01-26

Court of Appeal yesterday (25) issued an interim order against Minister of Megapolis Champika Ranawaka, preventing him from acquiring a plot of land owned by Minister Daya Gamage.

President of Court of Appeal Vijith Malalgoda and Justice Devika de Livera took this decision after considering an appeal by Gamage and three others. Minister Ranawake and three others have been accused.

Speaking to Ceylon Today, Gamage said that the former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa had acquired many of his lands, the Ampara garment factory in particular where 4,000 people worked, which the UDA at that time got a Court Order to demolish. The previous government acquired land as and when they wanted for development, he said and went on to say that Ranawaka was also doing the same.

"It is not fair by the innocent people. All valuable lands what they take and this land which they acquired is currently being dug for water retention, with regard to the Weras Ganga (river) Project. During Gotabaya Rajapaksa's time they got this land for water retention. At the same time, in the same plan, on the other side of the road they are planning on filling the whole area to put up a Town Council building-. How can they do that? They are acquiring somebody else's property for a meagre sum, and filling it up and then selling it for a higher price. This is not the Megapolis the Prime Minister wants to do. It's not ethical. Even in our election campaign we said that what the Rajapaksas' did to these people was unreasonable, and that we will be rectifying it after we come in to power. Ranawaka is also doing the same thing. How can I accept this? I am a national organizer for the UNP and I am responsible for the people who voted UNP believing that we will protect their interests. For the Weras Ganga Project they should take the lands only which are necessary and give the rest back to the rightful owners."