Minister of Agriculture K. D. Lalkantha has reiterated the government’s commitment to removing unauthorized structures from tank reserves.
Speaking at an event in Monaragala, the minister addressed speculation regarding a hotel owned by businessman Dudley Sirisena in Polonnaruwa.
“We have initiated the process of clearing unauthorized structures on tank lands starting from Anuradhapura, beginning with the Nuwara Wewa. As soon as we started, I noticed people on social media challenging the government to remove Dudley’s hotel,” he said.
“We will address Dudley’s hotel when we begin this activity in the Polonnaruwa district. People have given us a mandate for good governance, so regardless of social status, any illegal structures on tank reserves will be removed,” he added.
The minister further stated that Mr. Dudley Sirisena himself should hold a press conference and declare that he is willing to vacate any land under the Department of Irrigation, if necessary.
However, he also noted that according to the information currently available, the hotel in question does not appear to be built within the boundaries of the Polonnaruwa lake.
“As per the information I’ve received, he has leased the land from the Tourist Board for a certain period. However, a section of tank land is being fenced and used for the hotel’s activities. Based on what we know so far, if anything has to be removed, it would only be the fence built on tank land. The hotel itself is not on property belonging to the Irrigation Department,” he said.
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