Mega US $ Aloe Vera project embroiled in legal and environment issues
A multimillion dollar Aloe Vera cultivation project for the export market is now entangled in legal and environmental-breaching issues following allegations against the local investor of the project for issuing death threats on a police officer at a gala musical show organised by his entertainment firm in Rajanganaya area, Anuradhapura recently.
Aura Lanka Entertainment (Pvt.) Ltd, a subsidiary of Aura Lanka group is holding a series of a series musical festivals in Anuradhapura, Rajangana and surrounding areas as a propaganda campaign for the entertainment of villagers and the benefit of local artistes, several residents said.
Most of these musical shows continued from 6-7 pm each day to 4 to 5 am the following morning although the police had permitted it to hold the show until 10-12 pm only.
On one particular day the Chairman of Aura Lanka, Viranjith Thambugala has allegedly scolded and issued death threats to Chief Inspector of Rajangana Police station G.W.S Gajasinghe in front of a massive crowd when he tried to stop the musical show which was continued without permission.
This was informed to the Nochchiyagama Magistrates Court in a B report submitted by Anuradhapura ASP Amila Seneviratne and police officers claiming that the head of the Aura Lanka has obstructed the duties of the Chief Inspector threatening him with death.
The music festival was one of its series held in Anuradhapura Yaya 18 area to propagate the company activities including Aloe Vera cultivation project being implemented with the assistance of residents.
The accused Mr. Thambugala has surrendered to Courts via lawyer and the Magistrate Nalaka Bandara Illangaratne has released him on two personnel bails of Rs. 500 000 each.
Several artists and musicians held a media briefing and urged the government and relevant authorities not to stop the music festival which is currently being held in Track 18 at Rajangana.
They claimed that they were unaware why the musical event organised by Aura Lanka Entertainment (Pvt.) Ltd is being stopped.
This incident was significant at a time where several leading environmentalists are carrying out a protest campaign demanding the government to stop the US$ 783 million Aloe Vera cultivation project on more than 100,000 acres of land in the Anuradhapura District causing severe environmental damage.
It is expected to commence operations soon although the project has failed to obtain an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
However, according to company sources it has obtained the due approvals from relevant authorities under certain conditions.
The cabinet has approved this project on a proposal presented by then Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa and the former Minister of Lands S.M. Chandrasena to handover of 66 acres of crown land to the venture promoter Aura Lanka Herbals Ltd. on a 30-year lease.
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