People’s power prevail over Gota

 Friday, 07 March 2014

The power of the people in Wanathamulla has prevailed upon Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

Gotabhaya had ordered the Urban Development Authority (UDA) under his purview to evict hundreds of families in the Wanathamulla area and acquire their lands.

Military personnel attached to the UDA were assigned to intimidate the Wanathamulla residents into vacating their houses and moving into low quality houses with poor facilities built by the government. The residents were also asked to pay for the new houses, which the residents refer to as animal pens.

However, the Organization to Protect Houses at Wanathamulla has yesterday won a case filed by them at Human Rights Commission.

Military personnel attached to the UDA had attended the hearing of the case filed by the Organization to Protect Houses at Wanathamulla.

Convener of the Organization, Attorney Sunil Watagala has said the military personnel has told the Commission that lands in the Wanathamulla area will not be acquired.

He has added that it was a historic moment for the people in the country.

Lawyers from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka have also attended the hearing.