Apropos our news items (in The Island of 18 April) “Australia-based doc alleges her flat illegally occupied by diplomatic mission employee”, the High Commission for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Colombo has sent us the following response:

“We draw your kind attention to the publication of the news item titled “Australia-based doc alleges her flat illegally occupied by diplomatic mission employee” published in “The Island”. While denying the allegations therein, we would like to submit the factual account of the matter:

“A tenancy lease agreement was signed between Mr. Hendadura Ruwan Chaminda De Zoysa (NID no. 770442923V), the lessor and Defence Wing of the Bangladesh High Commission, the tenant on 22 January 2024 to rent a property at House No. F12, Elvitigala Flats, Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 08 for one year from 01-02-2024 to 31-01-2025. The tenant paid one year’s rent LKR 625,104.00/- in advance as per the agreement by cheque No. 0979615 of Sampath Bank deposited to the bank account No. 107052281803 of the lessor, Mr. Zoysa.

“As a landlord usually does, the lessor had made all the necessary refurbishments and logistic arrangements before the tenant, in this case mission staff Mr Harun Or Rashid, occupied the property. After a few months of their stay, the lady Ms. Rasanjali Ratnayake came to the property on 27th March 2024 and claimed the ownership of the property. Mr. Harun explained to the lady as to how he rented the house and then contacted the lessor Mr. Zoysa to inform him about the ownership claim by the lady.

Both the lessor Mr. Zoysa and Ms. Ratnayake met and they even went to the local police station for a suitable settlement. The occupant Mr. Harun was given the impression by both the parties that they are negotiating for an out of the court settlement. In this situation, the news item published in your newspaper that implied that the High Commission staff is illegally occupying the property, is outright misinformation and hence unexpected.

“First of all, before executing the tenancy agreement (attached) the High Commission had no reasonable ground to doubt about the ownership of the property by Mr. Zoysa and signed the agreement in good faith. The staff of the High Commission was shown the apartment several times before the final negotiation. The lessor Mr. Zoysa did all civil refurbishment works in the flat before the move in. All the transactions were made was through official channel.

“The staff of the High Commission Mr. Harun rented the house from Mr. Zoysa out of good faith, and if any kind of fraudulence occurred here, he is a mere victim of the circumstances. The term “illegally occupied” portrays the victim as the perpetrator. It is an injustice to a diplomatic staff of a friendly country.

“Besides, the High Commission did not receive any written communication from Ms. Ratnayake. The High Commission could have requested for the redress of the matter from the concerned authorities in Sri Lanka if it had been informed earlier by any aggrieved party.

“The publication of this news item without any verification from the High Commission has the potential of spreading misinformation and tarnishing the image of the country Bangladesh. Moreover, following the publication, the High Commission staff Mr. Harun and his family members are now scared and subject to social humiliation.

The High Commission has already made a submission to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka requesting to take necessary measures to settle the matter.

Reyad Hossain
Counsellor and Head of Chancery