The Anidda newspaper has reported that a group of villagers forcefully opposed and expelled a former JVP Pradeshiya Sabha member and his associates when they attempted to seize 35 acres of government land, known as Bandara Hena, in the Arachchikattuwa Divisional Secretariat Division of the Puttalam District.
According to the report compiled by journalist Lasantha Ruhunage, the former MP and his group arrived at the location on March 5 with a backhoe, allegedly preparing to distribute plots of land among their associates.
Upon being informed of the incident, the area’s Grama Niladhari and Divisional Secretary promptly alerted the police, who intervened to halt the illegal activity. As a result, the unauthorized clearing of the land was stopped, and measures were taken to undo the preparations made by the group.
The Divisional Secretary warned those attempting to illegally occupy the land that legal action would be pursued if they continued their activities.
When contacted, a senior officer from the Arachchikattuwa Police confirmed that an investigation into the matter is currently underway. Additionally, a senior official from the Arachchikattuwa Divisional Secretariat revealed that the government had previously conducted a survey to allocate the land to landless individuals in the area, and that the distribution process was planned to proceed following a land court decision.
