PM orders halt to forceful evictions, land acquisitions in Colombo

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed the Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to immediately stop land acquisition activities “in the guise of development” in the Colombo District and to stop forceful evictions and acquisitions. 

“The Chairman was further instructed to device a more humane mechanism in consultation with MP of the area and with the involvement of the civil society,” a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said. 

“During the previous regime, lands were acquired for various purposes by evicting people forcefully. The payment of compensation was done irregularly and in a partial manner.” 

Prime Minister, Mr. Wickremesinghe emphasized that as this Government is more concerned about people’s needs a more transparent and accountable system should be introduced when dealing with Government and private lands, the statement said.