Gampola reports that a large scale land grab is taking place oppressing the people of Gampola.
It was stated that according to the incident, the only paddy field in Gampola town owned by the freehold land owners in Gampola is being taken over by the government and no payment has been made to those land owners.
The convener of the Central Environmental Coalition SP Liyanarachchi stated that the Gampola town will be inundated during the rainy season due to the filling up of these paddy lands.
Addressing a media briefing, he further stated that government officials are acting arbitrarily and destroying this valuable ecosystem.
It was further stated that the Divisional Secretary of the province and the Central Provincial Director of the Central Environmental Authority are also responsible for this devastation and forcible seizure of lands. He further stated that he will continue to work against the protection of this paddy field.
