The government is planning to sell out some valuable lands in Galle including a land with high commercial value located at the Galle Sea Port premises to private firms and individuals, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) alleged.
Former Southern Provincial Councillor Nalin Hewage made the above allegations at a press conference held the party’s Galle District Coordinating Office yesterday. Former Provincial Councillor P.K.Jayasundara and Akmeemana Pradeshiya Sabha Member G.D.Illesinghe were also
at the media briefing. All arrangements have been already made for the sale of a block of land with an extent of six acres from the Galle Harbour situated at a prime location with both national and international prominence. According to documents I have got from the Urban Development Authority (UDA) the have called tenders for a thirty year lease of the land, he pointed out.
All is set to lease out the lands in the center of Galle city where Galle Police and General Post Office is located for 99 years. A bidder has already been selected, Hewage charged.
The present government was elected on the promise of halting all sale of state properties done by the previous government. However within three months of their rule, they sold three acres where the old Army Headquarters stood in Colombo to a Chinese company. The previous government also followed the same policy with regard to the country’s lands. They sold 760 acres of the Pilagoda Valley Estate in Baddegama. They sold the Gintota Plywood Corporation. The Hilltop building in Galle City which belonged to the Southern Provincial Council was also sold.