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Land filling: SLLRDC Chairman explains why President’s order was not followed
View(s):The President’s Office has called for a report from the Land Reclamation and Development Corporation (SLLRDC) over land filling close to a canal in Wattala, despite a presidential directive not to allow the filling of marshy lands in the Western Province in view of floods.
Presidential Secretary Austin Fernando and Additional Secretary Sunanda Kariyapperuma had sent letters to the SLLRDC asking why the Presidential order issued on June 3, 2016 was not obeyed.
They asked that action be taken against those responsible.SLLRDC Chairman Asela Iddawela said the land filling was done on the basis of the settlement of a court case by the Wattala Urban Council. He said the court had ordered the land belonging to a private owner could be developed according to SLLRDC recommendations and standards.
The chairman said that after considering the court order they provided the information to the Planning Committee and continued development under SLLRDC supervision. “The developers fulfilled the needed requirements. We have given approval to 40 cases similar to this. We did not override the circular of the President and we will send a report on this to the President office,” he said.