The Inter‑University Students’ Federation (IUSF) announced that Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has agreed to hand over the disputed land and house in Malwana, currently under the Dompe Divisional Secretariat, to the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The decision was conveyed following a discussion held at the Prime Minister’s Office today (18). 

Convenor Sasindu Perera told the media that the Prime Minister had promised to expedite the transfer of the property to the UGC.

Following successful discussions with Prime Minister Amarasuriya today, a group of university students agreed to vacate the disputed Malwana residence they had occupied since May 14. 

Perera said the students were now making arrangements to leave the premises in response to the government’s commitment.

The IUSF had earlier demanded that the property, once linked to former Minister Basil Rajapaksa and later without an owner, be allocated for university use. 

Students argued that such assets should be used to establish faculty complexes and hostels to address space shortages in higher education institutions. (Newswire)

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Jagath Vithana has alleged that the government has effectively allowed student activists to seize the controversial Malwana property once linked to former minister Basil Rajapaksa.

“A group has unlawfully broken into the property, seized it, and is cleaning it, while the Police stand and watch. Should we not ask who gave them this right? It is definitely the government,” MP Vithana charged, speaking to reporters.

He warned that such actions could foster unrest and even terrorism if left unchecked.

The property, previously denied by Basil Rajapaksa as his own, was taken over by the state after attempts to auction it were obstructed. 

Vithana stressed that government assets belong to the citizens of the country and must be safeguarded.

Meanwhile, members of the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) occupied the Malwana premises yesterday (14), declaring it should be handed over for public use. 

Student activists argued that successive governments had failed to utilize properties allegedly acquired through public funds and urged authorities to allocate the land to universities facing severe space shortages.

The IUSF said it had launched a “direct struggle” and vowed to continue occupying the property until authorities respond to their demands. (Newswire)

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The Police have sought public assistance to find a 26-year-old youth reported missing from the Malwana area since 02 December 2024.

The Biyagama Police has launched a probe based on a complaint filed by the father of the missing man.

The public with information on the missing youth has been requested to contact the Police via the hotlines 071-8591600 or 0112-487574. (Newswire)

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The suspects wanted over two separate murder incidents have been arrested in the Malwana and Galle areas yesterday.

The Police said a 35-year-old man was arrested over the death of an individual in Biyagama on 23 September. 

Investigations reveal that the victim had been stabbed with a sharp object due to a personal dispute with the suspect. The Gampaha Crimes Division is conducting further investigations.

Meanwhile, a 38-year-old man has been arrested for the murder of an individual in a rubber estate in Ruwanwella on 09 September.

The Police said the victim, who had been walking through the estate at night, had been assaulted and strangled to death by the suspect. 

The suspect had murdered the victim over a personal dispute and had left overseas soon after the incident.

He had, however, returned to Sri Lanka on 19 September and had been at a rented room in Galle during which he had been arrested yesterday. (Newswire)

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A 32-year-old woman from the Nawandhagala area has been found murdered inside a house in Malwana.

According to the Police, a man has been arrested by the Kosgoda Police in connection to the murder.

Investigations have revealed that a 32-year-old man from Yakkaduwa had been residing at the Malwana house with a woman with whom he was in an illicit affair.

It is reported that the man had murdered the woman inside the rented house and the body had been found by the Biyagama Police a few days later. 

The Kosgoda and Biyagama Police are conducting investigations into the murder. (Newswire)

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The government initiated the construction of a fully furnished auditorium for Al Mubarak Central College in Malwana, which was pledged by President Ranil Wickremesinghe during the school’s centennial celebrations last year. 

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), honouring the President’s promise, funds were designated for this endeavour, guaranteeing that the new auditorium would have the capacity to host around 5000 students simultaneously. 

The ceremonial laying of the foundation stone for this contemporary structure took place at the college on Wednesday (Mar 06), under the patronage of Senior Advisor to the President on Climate Change, Ruwan Wijewardena.

Addressing the foundation stone-laying ceremony at the college, Ruwan Wijewardena assured prompt completion of the auditorium construction, facilitated by labour contributions from the Navy, to promptly deliver it to the students.

Wijewardena emphasized President Wickremesinghe’s significant contributions towards advancing education for the nation’s youth. 

He also announced that in line with the President’s commitment to the residents of Biyagama, construction of a new hospital in the locality is scheduled to commence next month.

Senior Advisor to the President on Climate Change, Ruwan Wijewardena’s full address at the event;

I am delighted to share in this momentous occasion. Last year, during the centennial celebrations of this college, President Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe pledged to provide the institution with an auditorium. Today, true to his word, he has allocated the necessary resources for the construction of a fully equipped auditorium on this campus. I assure you that this auditorium will be built and handed over to the students at the earliest, with the Navy contributing to the labour force.

There exists a strong connection between Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Malwana area. Having served as the Biyagama Constituency Organizer, he has made significant contributions to this locality. His efforts have greatly benefited the education of both boys and girls in Malwana and across the country. Additionally, Mr. Suranimala Rajapaksa has also played a pivotal role in advancing education in this region.

I am confident that the construction of the new auditorium will not only benefit this school but also the entire community. Other schools will have the opportunity to utilize this facility. Furthermore, in keeping with President Wickremesinghe’s promise during the last general election, I am pleased to announce that the foundation stone for a hospital in this area will be laid next month.

It is my fervent aspiration to realize the objective of establishing another national school within this constituency. Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe consistently demonstrates his dedication to serving the residents of this area, and we should take pride in his efforts to enhance the educational opportunities for the children here.

Under the leadership of our esteemed President, we are all committed to fostering the development of this region. The Alumni Association, in collaboration with the school principal, played a significant role in providing this auditorium to our school. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all involved individuals at this juncture. (NewsWire)

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