Sale of B’mulla land for golf course

UDA acted on Cabinet decision – Counselby Chitra WeerarathneCounsel for the Urban Development Authority, Nihal Jayewardene, yesterday told the Supreme Court that the decision to construct a golf course at the flood retention area in Battaramulla had not been taken by the UDA. The UDA had acted on a decision taken by the Cabinet, he said. The Cabinet paper had been submitted by the then President Chandrika Kumaratunga, the Counsel said, adding that the land had been acquired in the early 1980s for the benefit of the Parliamentary complex as a flood retention area.

Chief Justice: It was never contemplated that this land was to be sold for a golf village. The direction was given by the then President and you did it.

Counsel: Everything was done after the Cabinet decision. Land developers have certain concessions.

In this case, the UDA had been made a respondent in a petition filed by two public interest litigants, challenging the decision of the former President to allegedly misdirect the cabinet to alienate state land at Battaramulla, to a private entrepreneur, to build a golf course for the affluent.

Chief Justice: The UDA had taken over land from the poor people and given it for the building of golf village for the rich. If the UDA had launched a middle class housing scheme, the Court would have commended you. You have given it to the rich. You ought to be dissolved.

The Bench comprised the Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva Justice Shirani Thilakawardene and Justice P. A. Ratnayake.