Minister Harsha De Silva convenes meeting with concerned authorities

Following Daily Mirror’s exposure on irregularities over a housing project

Following Daily Mirror Expose’ titled ‘Nuisance next door’ published on September 13 State Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs Dr. Harsha De Silva visited the group of affected residents in Off Buthgamuwa Road, Rajagiriya on Saturday and called for a meeting with Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation (SLLRDC) Chairman Roshan Gunawardena and Municipal Commissioner of Sri Jayawardenapura-kotte Wasanthi Rathnapala tomorrow.

The Daily Mirror Expose’ reported the long standing residents in the area alleging an Indian property developer Iconic Developments (Pvt) Ltd of a super luxury condominium project named Iconic Galaxy on a land in their neighbourhood, of illegally reclaiming the marsh, forcibly using a private road and building an unauthorized bridge as the main access to the complex.

They also alleged that the Urban Development Authority (UDA), the SLLRDC, Jayawardenapura-kotte Municipal Council and the Welikada Police are all acting to facilitate the requirements of the Indian company, violating the laws of Sri Lanka.

Minister Harsha De Silva who is also the MP for Kotte, during the Saturday’s visit had made immediate telephone calls for the SLLRDC Chairman and Municipal Commissioner of Sri Jayawardenapura-kotte and convened a meeting with residents and himself on Tuesday morning.

“I will be convening the meeting to work towards an acceptable solution. As the MP for Kotte, it is my responsibility to ensure development takes place within the law. It is my responsibility to continue the good work of my predecessors to keep Kotte clean, green and livable,” he said through a post in his official Facebook page. The article is available on Daily Mirror website or could be found at http://www.dailymirror. lk/expose/article/nuisance-nextdoor-155423.html.