Mews Street eviction:

UDA acted fairly

The removal of unauthorized dwellers, formerly residing in a land adjoining the Defence Services School at Mews Street, Slave Island, was done in a very fair and humane manner, consistent with applicable legal procedures, authorities said.

The Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said the land which the dwellers were residing after building unauthorized structures, belonged to the Urban Development Authority (UDA). MCNS Director General Lakshman Hulugalle in a release said although the dwellers were residing without proper authority, considering the humane nature of the matter, they were provided with compensation and alternative residences with UDA intervention.

As the illegal dwellers had failed to adhere to repeated reminders to vacate their unauthorized structures they were evicted Friday, after providing adequate compensation and alternative houses.

The MCNS states that the Defence Services School was established several years back with the intention of providing viable education facilities to the children of war heroes of the Security Forces and Police who acted with selfless determination and sacrifice to save the country from terrorism. As it was a necessity to acquire the land to further upgrade and develop the existing facilities of the School, the Government had to take the decision, which was carried out in a very fair manner, the release said.