National People’s Power (NPP) Anuradhapura District MP P.D.N.K. Palihena has denied allegations that removal of constructions within the Nuwara Wewa protected area were halted due to his land being part of the reserve.
He called the claims “entirely false” and politically motivated.
According to media reports, Palihena said he is prepared to vacate the land at any time if required and described the accusations as an attempt to discredit the government.
He said that the property in question was legally acquired, with official deeds granted during the Chandrika Kumaratunga government and construction plans approved by the local council.
The Irrigation Department has been demarcating boundaries of the Nuwara Wewa reserve in recent months.
However, officials have reportedly been instructed not to take further action on existing structures until a government decision is made.
Several reports have raised concerns that the directive may be linked to the fact that MP Palihena’s land falls within the newly identified reserve zone.
Palihena denied exerting any influence, stating that many other lands are also within the demarcated area and any general directive would affect all such properties. (Newswire)