The Nepalese government has initiated steps to recover land in Colombo that was allegedly sold to private individuals by its former honorary consul without government authorisation more than three decades ago.
According to Nepalese news outlet Onlinekhabar, Nepal purchased 1.5 acres of land in Rajagiriya, Colombo, on May 18, 1989, for US$360,000 to establish an embassy.
However, one acre of the property was reportedly sold in two successive transactions, in 1990 and 1994, by Nepal’s then honorary consul general in Sri Lanka, Albert Edirisinghe, who has since died.
Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed Parliament that it had found no documentation authorising the former honorary consul to sell the property.
According to the report, the land was first sold in September 1990 for US$100,000 and subsequently transferred to another individual in May 1994 for US$120,000.
The alleged unauthorised transactions remained undiscovered for more than three decades.
Nepalese authorities became aware of the issue only on June 5, 2025, while attempting to clear and fence the property.
The matter was subsequently brought to the attention of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and an investigation was launched.
Nepalese lawmaker Nishkal Rai has estimated the property’s current value at approximately US$6.5 million.
The report said Sri Lankan authorities had advised the Nepalese diplomatic mission to take measures to secure the property and establish ownership.
Nepal is continuing discussions with Sri Lankan authorities to recover the land, while investigations into the alleged unauthorised transfers remain ongoing.
Source: Onlinekhabar, Nepal. The information has not been independently verified. (Newswire)