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Pilgrims’ rest occupied by businessman
Pilgrims from distant areas to the Sri Dalada Maligawa expressed their concerns on pilgrims’ rest in the old Jathika Pola ground in Kandy in front of the Diyawadana Nilame’s official residence, being occupied by a businessman.
The pilgrims rest had been constructed under a project funded by the World Bank and declared open by former President Gotabaya Rajapakse.
Pilgrims pointed out that the businessman who had padlocked the doors was carrying out new constructions. Several pilgrims who visited the Sri Dalada Maligawa were waiting outside the building while being exposed to heavy rains.
The businessman claimed that he had obtained the building on lease from the Kandy Municipal Council.
The pilgrims from distant areas accused the businessman of occupying the building and closing it while its kitchen was being used by them to prepare their meals.
However, Kandy Municipal Commissioner Ishan Wijethilleka said a part of the building was leased to the businessman concerned to run a canteen and that the building would be open to the pilgrims after the canteen is opened. (Shane Seneviratne)
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