|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Monday, 9 February 2004 |
 |
|
 |
News | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
The Land Reform Commission (LRC), which comes under Lands Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, was alleged to have illegally handed out 25 to 50 acre blocks of land worth millions of rupees from a conservation area adjoining a section of the Sinharaja Forest, the Daily News learns. The land, known as 'Morning Side' is 26 Km away from Rakwana on the eastern side of Sinharaja. It was known to contain a large number of endemic species, some of which were discovered only recently. Sources close to the land deal say it has been done according to the wishes of political strongmen in the area. A high-ranking police officer is also behind the deal, they said. This police officer had allegedly arrived at the site with labourers to clear the forest. Two UNP MPs are the main beneficiaries although they are not directly involved, they added. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has ordered immediate action regarding this matter after a Central Environmental Authority (CEA) investigating team ruled that the designated area should not be used for any business activity due to the threat of environmental degradation. However, by the time the CEA team arrived, most of the lands had been cleared. The CEA initiated legal action against the LRC and its Chairman Lakshman Ranasinghe at the Embilipitiya Courts, seeking to stop the LRC from clearing Morning Side and secured a stay order. Ranasinghe has said that the land allocation had Minister Senaratne's approval. The Court has ordered the LRC to immediately stop the felling of trees and to stop clearing the forest. The land has been allocated despite clear government guidelines that lands adjoining the Sinharaja Forest must not be alienated for any purpose. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
