The current government has been accused of selling the West Coast to the private sector.
Speaking at a media briefing held in Colombo yesterday [04], Samagi Janabalawegaya MP Harin Fernando stated that the area, which also includes the Muthurajawela wetland which was under the control of the Wildlife and Forest Department, has been sold after being taken over by the Urban Development Authority.
“It has been taken over by the UDA and it has already been sold and the money has been taken,” said MP Harin Fernando.
People who are losing their lands and properties on the west coast from Peliyagoda to Negombo Kochchikade, which includes Nilsirigama, Janodaya village and many other villages, have already protested against this.
Environmental organizations point out that this could cause severe damage to the Muthuraja Wela Wetland Reserve and its wildlife. Environmentalists strongly condemn the removal of Muthurajawela, which had been protected to some extent, from the Wildlife and Forest Department and handing it over to the Urban Development Authority.
“The government is trying to take Fr. Cyril Gamini to the CID for repeating the contents of the Hansard reports, which are covering up the investigation into the Easter attack, and have now sold the West Coast, which is predominantly Catholic.” “I am agitating for the government that does not feel the suffering of the people,” he challenged.
A protest is to be held next Monday in the Wattala, Ja-Ela and Negombo electorates with the participation of people who have lost their lands and properties due to the government’s project.
The area from Akkaraipattu to Pottuvil on the east coast was handed over to Britain’s Capitals Metals in 2013 for a mining project.
The project, which was withdrawn due to protests by fishermen in the area, was initiated by then Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksha.