Member of Parliament Wasantha Yapa Bandara has leveled serious accusations against former Lands Minister Harin Fernando, claiming that he was involved in a massive 1780-crore rupee land scam. Bandara alleged that Fernando facilitated the allocation of 31 acres of highly valuable land to the father-in-law of a prominent steel company owner in Sri Lanka under suspicious circumstances.
During a press conference held in Kandy, Bandara detailed what he described as an elaborate land grab executed through the Land Reform Commission (LRC). The accusations center around land transfers, with 14 acres from Chandrika Kumaratunga Mawatha in Malambe, along with land from Hanthane Richmond Estate and Katugastota Estate, being improperly allocated. Bandara questioned the legality of these transactions, stating that these lands were valued at an exorbitant 60 lakh rupees per perch. The total value of the 31 acres is estimated at a staggering 1780 crore rupees.
Bandara expressed outrage over how these valuable lands, especially in Colombo, could be exchanged for land in Meemure, where the value of land is much lower, barely 5000 rupees per perch. He accused Fernando of facilitating the deal to benefit influential individuals, including the father-in-law of a steel company tycoon, at the expense of the nation’s assets.
The LRC, a body established to regulate land distribution and ensure fair use of resources, has come under scrutiny as Bandara claims they approved this irregular land allocation. The MP called for a thorough investigation, insisting that if the deal was legal, there should be no reason to fear an inquiry. However, he asserted that the massive difference in land valuations, especially in high-demand urban areas, clearly pointed to corrupt practices.
According to Bandara, 50 acres of land from Meemure were meant to be exchanged for the more valuable urban properties, but only 31 acres ended up being transferred. He suggested that those involved profited immensely from this difference in value, calling the land swap grossly unjust.
Bandara didn’t stop at the land scam allegations but also criticized the current political landscape. He accused President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Anura Kumara Dissanayake of running a covert political alliance, claiming they were orchestrating a joint campaign to undermine Sajith Premadasa, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader. Bandara referred to their efforts as a “joint crony election campaign,” suggesting that both leaders were attempting to sway voters in the upcoming presidential election.
The MP also raised concerns about artificial fuel shortages being created by President Wickremesinghe’s allies in the Katugastota area. He claimed that these manufactured shortages were a deliberate attempt to create panic, with the suggestion that more shortages would occur if the current regime was removed from power. Bandara emphasized that this was a fear-mongering tactic designed to sway voters ahead of the election.
Bandara urged the public to focus on the real issues plaguing the country, such as the long queues for passports and the large number of people awaiting heart surgeries in hospitals like Kandy General Hospital. He lamented the fact that more than 9000 people were waiting for heart surgery, with many passing away due to the lack of timely medical intervention. He accused the government of neglecting critical issues like healthcare while engaging in election manipulation.
Despite these allegations, Bandara remained confident about the prospects of the SJB and Sajith Premadasa in the upcoming election. He noted that Premadasa was gaining significant support, especially in postal voting, and predicted a decisive victory by the time the votes were counted on the 21st. He argued that the public was growing tired of the government’s corruption and cronyism and was ready to back a candidate with a clean track record like Premadasa.
Bandara warned that the “slanderous stories” being circulated against Premadasa by his political rivals would not deter the electorate, asserting that Premadasa’s leadership would bring much-needed economic, agricultural, and educational reforms. He claimed that the SJB had assembled a strong team capable of addressing the nation’s challenges, in contrast to the divisive and destructive politics he accused Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Wickremesinghe of perpetuating.
The press conference ended with a call for accountability. Bandara insisted that the Land Reform Commission and those involved in the land deals be held responsible for their actions. He also urged the Election Commission to investigate and halt any irregularities in the electoral process, warning that the ongoing manipulation of the public through fear tactics was undermining the democratic process.
In conclusion, Bandara painted a picture of a country at a crossroads—where voters had the choice between corrupt political elites and a new leadership that could potentially lead Sri Lanka out of its current crises.
