The racket was going on unchecked despite continual representations to the relevant authorities

• The racketeers were now attempting to break the sluice gates in the tank to reduce the water level to acquire more land

By Dayaratne Embogama   

Residents of the area expressed concern about the ongoing illegal block out and selling of land in the tank reservations in Anuradhapura to construct tourist hotels. They said the racket was going on unchecked despite their continual representations in this regard to the relevant authorities.   

Chief Incumbent of the Gajaba Ashrama Ven. Hakuruwela Chandaloka Thera told the media that a vast area of the Bulankulama tank reservation had been cleared and fragmented.  

“Bulankulama tank dates back to the reign of King Pandukabhaya who ruled the country more than 2000 years ago (437-367 BC). It has now been left to racketeers receiving political partronage who have cleared about 200 acres of the tank reservation for building purposes. This has been going on unchecked. One of the businessmen had built a multi-storeyed hotel on a seven acre area and another is occupying 16 acres. As I understand, senior officials and a prominent ruling party politician in the area are involved in the racket.”   

The Thera said continual representations in this regard to the police, the Irrigation Department and the Forest Conservation Department and even the Mahanayaka Theras had been of no avail. He said he was under death threat from the racketeers. He said the racketeers were now attempting to break the sluice gates in the tank to reduce the water level to acquire more land.   

Meanwhile residents of the area said the officials who had been deployed by the Provincial Land Commissioner to survey the tanks reservation, surveyed the land belonging to the villagers and not the area occupied by the racketeers. When inquired, they said the officials told them that only the individuals who were in possession of deeds were occupying land. Meanwhile Provincial Director of Irrigation Jayantha Herath who admitted that several unauthorised buildings had been constructed on the tank reservation said that the Irrigation Department alone was not able to take a decision. He pointed out that the Divisional Secretaries, the Land Commissioner and the Surveyor General should join hands and resolve the issue. 

• Provincial Director of Irrigation Jayantha Herath said that the Irrigation Department alone was not able to  take a decision
• He said he was under death threat from the racketeers