Presidential order defied by group in land-filling dispute in Ja-Ela

Residents are preparing for a massive protest on the lines of the recent one at Ja-Ela over the dumping of the Meethotamulla garbage in Ekala, Ja-Ela after a group defied a presidential order to stop filling some land.

On January 3, under the orders of President Maithripala Sirisena, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) halted a illegal and unauthorised marshy land filling or around25 acres in Dandugama, Maha Kotuwa area facing the Colombo Negombo trunk road, as a result of a complaint made to the President, by these residents.

However according to the residents around this locality, the perpetrators have defied the order of the President and proceeded to fill the land from midnight to dawn at the rate of 60 tippers per hour and, according to these sources, already filled around 10 acres.

Anthony Perera, organiser of a protest campaign against this unlawful marshy land filling, said that they have kept the President appraised of the happenings in this secret land filling during the night defying the Presidential decree, though the CEA has taken speedy steps to halt large- scale land reclamation carried out illegally in two separate locations in Dandugama, Ja-Ela.

According to a complaint lodged by the people in the area in this regard to the President, on January 3, he instructed the CEA Chairman to investigate into the incident, visiting that place with the relevant parties.

Accordingly, the officials of the CEA and the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation (SLLR&DC), together with the Ja-Ela Police, commenced investigations at the place. Under the directive of the President, the officials took action to stop those unauthorised land filling.

As a result of the perpetrators defying the presidential order, the authorities concerned thronged the location last Tuesday (January 10) equipped with backhoes and tippers to remove the earth filled from the marsh.

But the perpetrator had locked up the gates to the marsh and barricaded it with a motor vehicle preventing anybody entering the premises.

According to Mr. Perera, the following day the perpetrators were asked by the Chairman SLRDC to be present in his office with whatever documents they possess to substantiate any legality to reclaim the land. Mr. Perera said that he was informed by the Chairman, SLRDC that the perpetrators did not possess any legal document to allow land filling and thus the Chairman, SLRDC decided to take legal action against the perpetrator.

Residents then gathered at the Dehiyagatha (Dandugama) Kuda Madhu Church to seek the assistance of the religious leaders. Rev. Fr. Erinton Silva, Parish Priest, Kuda Madhu Church, Ven. Weliveriye Chandrasiri Thero, Dandugama Poorvaramaya and Rev. Fr. Rajitha De Mel, St. Mark’s Methodist Church, Dandugama were present at the meeting and on behalf of the religious leaders, Rev. Fr Silva assured the people of their support.