Land dispute in Nittambuwa leads to startling revelations

by Staff Writer 27-07-2020 | 11:32 PM

Colombo (News 1st); Video going viral on social media revealed a heated dispute between a group attempting to occupy a 32 perch land in Nittambuwa and the occupants of the property.

Video footage on social media showed a certain group attempting to use force against the occupants while police officers looked on.

The incident was live-streamed by the occupants, Danasiri Wijesinghe and his son Thilanga Wijesinghe.

The occupants claim the land was gifted to them by the wife of the late Ashoka Dasanayake, who was murdered some time back.

" My father owns this land. There is an attempt to take away this land by force by a group led by Andrew Samarakoon and he is threatening us with death. He entered our property with a group from a security firm named Sentryco Security and claimed they work for Chanuka Ratwatte", said Thilanga Bandara, the landowner's son.

"Andrew Samarakoon entered with 10 men from Sentryco Security and all our lives have been threatened with death. They entered with officers from the Nittambuwa Police. One of the officers once entered in civil attire and said he was offered Rs. 05 Millions", he further told the media.

According to the occupants of the property, the group that attempted to enter had brought with them a banner, similar to the one which is seen on the outer wall of a luxury mansion located in Colombo 03.

An SUV which arrived is registered to an address located not far from the mansion in Colombo 03.

The matter relating to the land was called up at the Attanagalla Court on Monday (27) and Dhanasiri Wijesinghe and his son were remanded until the 04th of August for the breach of public peace.

Police Spokesperson SSP Jaliya Senaratne speaking to News 1st said a civil case was filed over the land in question while the occupants and another group claim ownership to the property.

He further noted officers from the Nittambuwa Police had visited the property to inquire into the private security firm personnel and two people who obstructed the duties of the police officers were arrested and remanded until the 04th of August 2020.

Several others involved, were issued notice to appear in court, said the Police Spokesperson.

Further, the Acting Inspector General of Police had instructed the DIG in-charge of the Western Province (North) to conduct an investigation into the incident.