The acquisition of the Muthurajawela Wetland by the Urban Development Authority and the reclamation of its land has already sparked a heated debate between political and civil society.
Residents in the Muthurajawela Eco-Sensitive Zone are currently under severe pressure due to the gazette notification regarding the illegal acquisition of lands by the Urban Development Authority. That is because their lands will also be lost then.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that there is a plan to fill up the land and build a helicopter yard. We revealed yesterday (07) that the Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts has instructed the Director General of Wildlife, Chandana Sooriyabandara, to immediately investigate and submit a report.
This was also discussed in Parliament today (08). The main reason for this was the loss of lands of Minister of State Nimal Lansa.
He objected to the gazette notification transferring the Muthurajawela Sanctuary and a large area of land nearby to the Urban Development Authority, saying that all his family lands would be affected.
He told the Minister of State in charge of the subject Nalaka Godahewa that this gazette should be removed immediately. He said in Parliament that the gazette notification should be withdrawn without creating any problems as a government and that the people of the area are also very curious due to this gazette notification.
The Minister of State spoke in Parliament today because he is losing his lands. Otherwise he too will approve this gazette and remain silent.
At present only a small area of 700 hectares remains of the Muthurajawela ecological land. All remaining lands have been filled. If this land is further filled, the people around Wattala, Ja-Ela and Negombo will have to face severe floods.