Court blocks Cabinet decision on Malwana’s mystery mansion

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, who successfully moved the Cabinet of Ministers to acquire a 17-acre Malwana property that was to go under an auctioneer’s hammer was in for a rude shock this week.

Himself a l awye r, Rajapakshe had wanted the state to take over the land and a partly built house allegedly belonging to former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

Basil Rajapaksa, however, has denied any ownership and it was decided to auction the p r o p e r t y. T h e C h i e f Government Valuer had said the property was worth more than Rs 207 million. An auction was fixed for March 29. The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) which probed the matter ran advertisements in the national media for this purpose.

Last Thursday, the Pugoda Magistrate and Additional District Judge Nilpuli Lankapura held that there was no legal provision to dispose of any property or production until a court case is completed. Hence, she asked the Attorney General to make submissions to Court on April 6 on what basis he was seeking to take over the land which is now under litigation.

On the earlier occasion, the Magistrate ordered the suspension of the auction. This was after the FCID had filed a petition with a certified copy of the Cabinet decision not to auction the property. However, the Magistrate did direct that the court should be given reasons for this request.

The 17-acre land adjoins the Kelani River at Gangabada Road in Malwana. Justice Minister Rajapakshe told his ministerial colleagues that the valuation on the property was l owe r and t h at the Government could utilise the land.

Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake has suggested the land be used for a Police Academy.