Politicians cry foul over Malik's Singapore land deal

COLOMBO (News 1st) - UPFA Parliamentarian, Kanchana Wijesekera states that a couple of months ago, Minister Malik Samarawickrema brought an amazing proposal to the Cabinet. He stated that it was an amendment proposal for a mixed development project on a state-owned land, located down Baladaksha Mawatha between the Beira Lake and the Shangri La Hotel, which was to be implemented by Perennial Real Estate Holdings Limited. MP Kanchana Wijesekara states that this proposal was among the land acts presented last week. According to him, this aim of this act was to provide the ownership of this land to the Singaporean company Perennial Real Estate Holdings Limited. MP Kanchana goes on to state that, the state valuation for this land is Rs 12.5 mn per perch. The Parliamentarian notes that if the Government calls for tenders to lease out this land, they would be able to get a better price. Commenting on the same matter; Leader of the National Unity Alliance Party, Azath Salley states that Perennial Real Estate Holdings Limited which is a Singaporean owned company, is requesting for another piece of land behind Shangri-La. He further explained that no one knows who the owner of this company is, except for Mano Thiththawella and Malik Samarawickrama. He said that his main concern was with regards to whose money is being invested in these projects? Salley questioned whether the money coming into the country was black money which was pumped out of the country. Azath Salley further explained that individuals come into Sri Lanka not only as investors, but also occupies positions in Malik Samarawickrama's Private Companies. Elaborating further MP Azath Salley stated that the Singapore-Sri Lanka Trade Agreement is being criticized by everyone. He notes that the Trade Agreement bill was supposed to be sent back to the cabinet for further ratification but it was not. Azath Salley further states that when Min Malik was questioned regarding this matter, he has not clarified the matter. Ending the comment he states that they feel 174 papers of the agreement are missing and there's nobody to assume responsibility in this matter.