There has been considerable discussion within the political arena regarding the decision to remove the Urban Development Authority (UDA) from the ministerial purview of Minister Anura Karunathilaka and place it under the authority of Minister Bimal Ratnayake, according to Sri Lanka Latest News.
Many parties allege that the controversial approval granted for the construction of a massive 40-storey luxury housing complex named ‘Homeland Pentara’, to be developed by Homeland Corporation in the Thummulla area, is suspected to be the underlying reason for this move.
Although the UDA has previously restricted the construction of residential buildings exceeding three floors for the general public in Thummulla, residents question the approval given to Homeland Corporation to erect a 40-storey structure, calling it highly questionable and unfair.
In protest, residents of the Thummulla area recently organized a public demonstration against the proposed housing project.
Political analysts and concerned parties suggest that this controversy may have led to the removal of Minister Anura Karunathilaka from oversight of the Urban Development Authority.
Last week, President Ranil Wickremesinghe officially transferred the UDA to fall under the purview of Minister Bimal Ratnayake. However, Minister Ratnayake is currently overseas on an official visit.
It is widely believed that upon his return to Sri Lanka, Minister Ratnayake will take strict action against the UDA officials allegedly involved in the suspicious approval process.
Meanwhile, the affected residents of Thummulla have submitted a written complaint to the President, the Prime Minister, and the relevant minister, seeking justice over the housing project. It is also reported that they are consulting several senior President’s Counsel to explore potential legal action.
Furthermore, residents have met with Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara to raise their grievances regarding the matter.
The residents also allege that the lack of action despite multiple written complaints to the President, the Prime Minister, and the Urban Development Authority suggests the involvement of powerful political figures or senior officials behind the incident. Reports indicate that instructions have now been issued to conduct an investigation into the matter.
