Attorney-at-Law Chamindrani Kiriella, daughter of former Minister Lakshman Kirella yesterday admitted that the land cleared by her father in Hantana, belonged to the Hantana Forest Reserve. Speaking at a press conference held at the Opposition Leader’s office in Colombo yesterday, Chamindrani Kiriella said this land in question had been Gazetted under the Hantana Forest Reserve in 2010.
This press conference has been organised by the Women’s wing of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya to support Bhagya Abeyratne who had recently accused the authorities for failing to stop the alienation of lands belonging to the Sinharaja forest during a television programme.
Media persons were initially informed that Abeyratne would be in attendance. However, she had not turned up.
Kiriella said that the land was bought by her father 30 years ago and the ownership of the relevant land was delegated to her by way of Gift Deed.
Chamindrani Kiriella said that buildings have been put up in the land adjoining her land in Hantana and the authorities have failed to look into these constructions too.