Chamal's land given to a Hambantota filling station returns to the Red Cross

The Court of Appeal has issued a writ order invalidating the decision taken by authorities to transfer land, which was allocated to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society for the construction of a fuel station in the Hambantota area, to another party. Accordingly, the court has ordered that steps be taken to re-allocate the said land to the Red Cross Society on a long-term lease basis.

Red Cross authorities had decided to establish a fuel station in the Hambantota area with the aim of raising funds for its social service activities. Mr. Chamal Rajapaksa, who was then the Minister of Lands, had approved the allocation of 65 perches of land for this purpose. However, disregarding that agreement, authorities later took steps to hand over the land to the Magampura Community Development Foundation, and the Red Cross Society came before the court stating that this decision was illegal.

The writ petition filed by the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society against this unjust decision was heard before Court of Appeal Judges Dammika Ganepola and Aditya Patabendige. Several parties, including the Commissioner of Lands, the Road Development Authority, the Hambantota District Secretary, and the Magampura Community Development Foundation, were named as respondents.

The verdict pronounced by Justice Aditya Patabendige in open court stated that it was clear the petitioner organization had full expectation of acquiring the said land and that a prior promise had been received from the government in this regard. The court emphasized that in such a situation, while the Red Cross Society held all expectations regarding that land, the decision taken by authorities to transfer it to another institution was an illegal act.

For this hearing, President's Counsel Saliya Pieris appeared on behalf of the petitioner Red Cross Society, and President's Counsel Kuvera de Zoysa presented arguments on behalf of the respondent institution. Furthermore, Deputy Solicitor General Chaya Sri Namunni appeared before the court representing the respondent Attorney General.