Irregularities in the sale of Shangri-La and One Galle Face lands during Mahinda's era are to be investigated

A complaint has been lodged with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption regarding a controversial incident where a highly valuable plot of land located at Galle Face, Colombo, was surveyed, deeds written, registered, and sold within a short period of three days. It is alleged that these serious acts of corruption and irregularities occurred during the sale of land where the Shangri-La and One Galle Face buildings were constructed, during the tenure of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

This complaint has been filed by the 'Citizen's Power Against Bribery, Corruption and Waste' organization. The relevant letter, signed by its chairman, Mr. Jamuni Kamantha Thushara, was sent to the chairman of the commission on the 29th, requesting that a formal and independent investigation be launched into this land transaction.

One of the main points on which the complainants base their accusation is the unusual speed with which the first plot of land was sold. The survey plan for the relevant land transaction was prepared on December 27, 2010, the deed was written the next day, December 28, and it was registered and finalized on December 29. The organization requests special attention to the fact that these activities took place within a short period of three days, and alleges that the procedure that should be followed under the State Lands Ordinance has been violated in this instance.

According to the complaint, this transaction was carried out under Section 23(2) of Chapter 454 of the State Lands Ordinance. On December 29, 2010, the then Presidential Secretary, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, sold a land plot of 2.4361 hectares, belonging to Lot No. 01 of Survey Plan No. 9132, to Shangri-La Galle Face Lanka (Private) Limited. For this, a sum of US$ 75 million, equivalent to LKR 8,250 million at the time, was charged. Furthermore, the complaint states that on March 15, 2011, another plot of land, 1.6108 hectares belonging to Lot No. 2 of the same survey plan, was sold to the same company for LKR 5,499 million.

Accordingly, this entire land area, approximately 10 acres and 11 perches, located in the heart of the capital, was sold for LKR 13,749 million. The complaint states that it should be investigated whether Cabinet approval was obtained when divesting such a massive state property, and whether the land valuation process was carried out properly. They also point out that there is a suspicion as to whether the powers vested in the President regarding the sale of state lands were abused in this transaction by not conducting a public auction or calling for open applications during the sale.

Based on these facts, the 'Citizen's Power Against Bribery, Corruption and Waste' organization, through its complaint, requests the Bribery Commission to take legal action against the individuals involved if the relevant transaction is confirmed to be corrupt. Additionally, it is emphasized that necessary steps should be taken to re-acquire the lands thus sold back to the government.