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Alleged land grab but DM denies charge

Puttalam district residents allege there is a large scale land grab taking place there with the connivance of a deputy minister of the area.The residents allege that Deputy Minister D.M. Dassanayake has unlawfully taken possession of State land around the Mee Oya region and even gone to the extent of selling lands to powerful businessmen outside the area.

They allege a land around 30 acres in extent in the Mee oya region has been acquired by the deputy minister.The residents allege the deputy minister has spent Rs.1.5 million for levelling the land and another Rs. 850,000 for a water pumping station using funds from his ministry.

However this work was never completed due to negligence of the authorities and the equipment brought is lying idle, residents claim.

They allege another land exceeding 25 acres in extent in close proximity to the deputy minister’s property has been sold to a Kuliyapitiya businessman to erect a factory.It is said that hundreds of farmers were to receive half an acre each for cultivation at the time the minister was in charge of Samurdhi and it is alleged the issue of deeds for this purpose was purposely delayed for the sale to be made to the businessman.

Mr.Dassanayake said no lands were acquired for his personal use or gain.

“We have utilised these lands for development projects in the area to improve the standard of living of the people,” he said.

“Is it illegal for us to use Government property to better the lives of the rural folk,” he asked adding that the media was reporting falsehoods against him.

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