HRCSL warns UDA, not to forcibly remove residents

 Saturday, 10 May 2014 

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has ordered the Urban Development Authority (UDA) not to forcibly remove residents of the Bakery Watta, Colombage Mawatha and 188 Watta areas and refrain from intimidating them to evict their homes. 

The Commission has also said that if the residents are removed, it must be done in accordance to prevailing laws of the country.

The HRCSL has made the above ruling yesterday (May 10) after taking up a petition which cited that the UDA had violated Human Rights of residents in the above areas.

Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thero, Attoneys-At-Law Sunil Watagala and Thushara Ranatunga as well as a group of residents appeared on behalf of prosecution while an UDA project Director and a military officer appeared as respondents.

Prosecution handed in a CD which contained threats uttered by a group of military personnel on behalf of the UDA as well as statements against the authority of the HRCSL. The group had threatened the residents to evict their homes.

It was proved that the residents in the above areas possessed Grama Niladhari records certifying that they were permanent residents of the areas.

HRCSL legal officer Ranil Abeynayake also attended the proceedings.

The UDA falls under the Ministry of Defence & Urban Development, where Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is the ministry secretary.