By Lalith Chaminda and SK Kaluarachchi-August 9, 2013, 12:00 pm
A UPFA Pradeshiya Sabha member and his cronies have recently grabbed around 100 acres from an estate belonging to Elpitiya Plantations at Habarakada, Thawalama.
The PS member and his supporters are now occupying it, according to a complaint lodged with the Hiniduma police by the firm.
The PS member is a former Deputy Chairman of the Thawalama Pradeshiya Sabha.
The land which originally belonged to the State Plantations Corporation was later handed over to the Elpitiya Plantations Ltd in 2004.
The estate has been called the Habarakada Plantations since then. It has 654 acres including uncultivated land encompassing about 300 acres.
The complaint made by Superintendent of the estate Anuruddha Ranasinghe also said that the politico and his cronies had felled valuable trees on the estate for timber.
When contacted for comment, Thawalama Divisional Secretary W. S. Satyananda said: "I was told that the PS member and his companions have forcefully occupied a section the estate. Then I asked the relevant officials to make a complaint to the police. Forcible occupation of state land could not be permitted. The government will take legal action against those who grabbed the land."
