Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe criticized Irrigation Department officials for issuing demolition notices on settlements within tank reserves, accusing them of acting outside government decisions.
The matter was raised at the Anuradhapura District Coordination Committee meeting held on Friday (19), chaired by the Minister.
“We informed them that a committee has been established to review concerns. People can submit appeals, and the committee will take necessary decisions. But despite this, the Department of Irrigation has gone ahead and put up demolition notices. At the meeting, it was decided only to mark the borders and form a committee. Who gave the order to demolish? This is a serious issue,” Samarasinghe said.
He stressed that the government had not approved any such move, warning that officials were creating unnecessary accusations against the administration.
“Why weren’t borders marked all these years when illegal hotels were built? What I request from authorities is not to obstruct the government’s efforts to support the people,” he added.