News

Rohitha denies any wrongdoing in hotel construction near Sinharaja

Published

3 years ago

2022/08/31

Sahan Weerasooriya

Galle Face protesters ask for probe in terms of Money Laundering Act

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Sarvapaskshika Aragalakaruwo (All-party Agitators) of the Galle Face protest movement has lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) seeking an investigation into Rohitha Rajapaksa’s ownership of ‘Green Eco Lodge’ hotel situated at Gongalakanda, Kolonna, in Embilipitiya, close to Sinharaja.

The grouping, in a letter dated August 29, addressed to CID Director Rohana Premaratne, has requested that the probe on the youngest son of former President and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa be conducted in terms of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act No 05 of 2006.

Having lodged the complaint at the CID headquarters, on Monday (29), Nirashan Withanage, the spokesperson for the outfit, told the media they expect the police to establish the circumstances under which Rohitha Rajapaksa procured the hotel, situated on a 13-acre land.

The Sirasa TV, in its Monday main news bulletin, quoted Rohitha Rajapaksa as having said that the hotel had been constructed, adhering to all legal requirements. Acknowledging that he owned the land in partnership, Rohitha Rajapaksa challenged that legal action be taken if laws had been violated. Sirasa further quoted him as having said that those who directed unsubstantiated allegations, too, should be prepared to face legal action.

Both Sarvapaskshika Aragalakaruwo and civil society activist Nayanaka Ranwella, on behalf of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), on Monday, called for a no holds barred investigation into Rohitha Rajapaksa’s ownership of the hotel that was set on fire by a group of persons on May 10, the day after UPFA goons attacked Galle Face protesters.

Addressing the media at the Opposition Leader’s Office, Ranwella said that there had been controversy over the ownership of the hotel. Following accusations made by Sajeewa Chamikara, of the Movement for Land and Agriculture Reform (MONLAR), that severe environmental damage had been caused by the construction of the hotel, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who was named the proprietor, denied the accusations. Ranwella displayed pictures of the hotel and a helipad built while raising the contentious issue of how waste and other discarded items from the hotel were disposed of.

Sarvapaskshika Aragalakaruwo and the SJB said that in the wake of the recent arrest of four persons, by the Kolonna police, over the May 10 attack on the hotel, Rohitha Rajapaksa’s ownership had been established. The suspects, aged between 25 and 50 years, have been identified as residents of Kolonna.

Lawyer Withanage questioned the circumstances Rohitha Rajapaksa procured the hotel as he had never been employed and therefore his source of income is questionable.

Another spokesperson for Sarvapaskshika Aragalakaruwo said that they would pressure the government over this issue. “We are hoping to lodge a complaint with the CIABOC (Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption),” the activist said. Responding to another query, the spokesperson said that both President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakse recently declared that the government would soon enact an anti-corruption Bill.

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Latest News

Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

Published

22 hours ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

Latest News

Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

Published

22 hours ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]

News

RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

Published

23 hours ago

2025/04/27

Thilina Walpola

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.

Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.

Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.

In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.

Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.

The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.

He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.

According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.

Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.

However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.