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Land
grab taking place in Nawala? A
Sunday Times investigation learns that the land was taken over by
the SLRDC for the purpose of flood retention but now one of its
previous owners whose property adjoins this land has allegedly started
to fill the marshy land. Despite this incident being reported to the SLRDC not much action appears to have been taken. However when the matter was reported to the SLRDC, its officials had inspected the land and fixed a board on the land stating that it is Government land set aside for flood retention. The day after the board was put up it was allegedly removed by the former owner of the land. It is learnt that previously when SLRDC officials went to see the land they were threatened and asked not to come there by men apparently guarding the land. It is also learnt the filling of the land occurs at night with many trucks bringing in tons of soil to fill the marsh. It is feared that if part of this Government-owned land is filled water will stagnate when it rains causing problems in the neighbourhood. It is also learnt that others have also encroached on this land. The Sunday Times learns that a mansion owned by a Deputy Inspector General of Police has also encroached partly into this state-owned land. SLRDC Chairman Somaweera Chandrasiri told The Sunday Times that action would be taken against those who have encroached on the land. “We will remove all constructions made on the SLRDC land as they are illegal. Our first step is to mark out the boundaries since the markers have been removed,” he said. The Galpotta area had been a place which the elusive underworld kingpin Nawala Nihal haunted. It is said he claims land in the area by threatening and chasing away their owners. Most people in the area are under the impression that Nawala Nihal had a hand in the land grab. |
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