UDA GETS ALL CLEAR FOR TATA PROJECT

The project to begin by June and residents given two months to vacate the premises

The Supreme Court yesterday permitted the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to proceed with the re-development project for Slave Island in collaboration with the TATA Housing Development Company. The plot of land spanning from Malay Street to Justice Akbar Mawatha and Java Place and Majidul Jamiyar Mawatha had been recognised by the UDA as an area for re-development under a major project plan for Colombo. TATA Housing, a subsidiary of Indian giant TATA, is to establish a commercial hub in four acres of the land while the remaining three acres is to be utilised to establish a three tower condominium which would provide housing facilities for the families who are settled in the area.

Residents are to be relocated for two years during which period the condominiums are to be established. Residents were provided the option of obtaining rent, compensation, temporary homes or land to build temporary houses during their relocation period.

Residents of the area had obtained the stay order arguing that the proposed development project would affect their livelihoods and deprive them of their fundamental rights. The fundamental rights application is to be taken up on March 4 for hearing as no settlement could be arrived upon.

Meanwhile, the UDA stated the project was scheduled to begin by June and that residents would be given two months to vacate the premises after agreements were signed. The Authority also stated that 277 families were inclined to choose the rent scheme, through which they would be paid rent for two years upfront, while 24 families had asked for compensation and 65 others would decide after the hearing. The court had also directed that houses should be found within a 10 Km area for those choosing the option of a temporary home.

The panel comprising of Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, Justices P.A.Ratnayake and Priyasath Dep vacated the order that Status Quo (existing state of affairs) be remained. The matter was fixed for March 7 to be mentioned.

Sujeewa Senasinghe with Farman Cassim appeared for the Petitioners. Deputy Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne with State Council Aranti Perera appeared for Minister of Lands and the Attorney General. President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena with Rajeev Amarasuriya and Sandamali Chandrasekara instructed by Sudath Perera Associates appeared for the UDA. President’s Counsel Faizer Musthapha with I. Balapatabendi and Mehran Careem instructed by Sanjay Fonseka appeared for Defence Secretary.

Pic by Nisal Baduge