People in Kandy, Teldeniya, Gampola, Poojapitiya and other areas are organizing in various ways to protest against the environmental destruction taking place in various parts of the Central Province and the illegal actions taken by government officials against the people. We also receive information about it.
It was revealed at a media briefing held in Gampola recently that the Urban Development Authority along with the Kandy city plan is looting people’s lands, using various tactics to oppress the people, causing environmental damage in areas such as Gampola and forcible land acquisitions.
Sameera Chandrasiri, the convener of the Gampola Green Organization and a member of the Gampola Pradeshiya Sabha, revealed to the media about the forcible acquisition of the Gampola Namal Uyana paddy field, the gazetted ownership of the Namal Uyana and the damage to the Mahaweli River.
They also criticized the threats to them and their families, the misconduct of the police, the Divisional Secretaries, the contemptuous behavior of the Central Provincial Director of the Central Environmental Authority and the actions of the Urban Development Authority. More important than the criticism was the fact that government officials had slipped in writing. He also requested His Excellency the President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to intervene to prevent this catastrophe.
Ravana Note
In the facts presented in this case, it was seen that the responsible government officials had neglected their duties. The names of officials of several institutions including the Sri Lanka Police, Divisional Secretaries, Central Provincial Director of the Central Environmental Authority, Urban Development Authority are also mentioned.
All that needs to be done to acquire land is to act in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act. For that, the State Land Acquisition Act and the Land Acquisition Act should be used. If that does not happen, it is time to file a criminal complaint against these government officials. For that a complaint should be lodged with the police. Complaints can also be made easily using the names and addresses of those officers. Also, if the law is not enforced by the police, a complaint should be made to the Magistrate of the area either through a lawyer or personally using Section 25 (1) of the Code of Conduct for Primary Courts. But it is better to file a complaint through a lawyer. Also the service of a trusted skilled lawyer is more effective. It is also important for future legal action that a complaint be lodged with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka against all these officers, step by step up to the Police Headquarters.
Relevant police officers can also be charged with criminal offenses. In this case, the officers can be prosecuted under Sections 56, 90, 100, 102, 112, 113,120, 199, 214,215, 216, 261, 289, 330, 340, 372 of the Ceylon Penal Code. No separate evidence is required. There is evidence from these very events. If the police do not file criminal charges, the OIC can be charged separately.
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