Kataragama Land Back in State Hands

Kataragama Property Returned to State Custody After 15-Year Dispute

by Staff Writer 13-10-2025 | 7:26 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); A controversial land plot in the Manik Ganga Reserve, where an illegal construction had been carried out, was officially handed over to the Irrigation Department today.

Director General of Irrigation A. Gunasekara confirmed that the handover was executed in accordance with instructions issued by the Attorney General.

The issue first came to light in January 2010, when a newspaper report exposed details of the property and its construction, questioning ownership by publishing water and electricity bills linked to the premises.

The construction had been carried out on a plot located between the Kataragama Port Authority Rest House and the Manik Ganga, along Wanaraja Place, Depot Road in Kataragama. 

The land was part of an Irrigation Department reserve, and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) launched an inquiry into the matter.

Investigations focused on allegations that a state-owned property had been illegally acquired and developed using government resources, including military personnel. 

The probe also examined the alleged involvement of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the construction.

As part of the inquiry, the CID recorded statements from former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Neville Wanniarachchi - former security officer to ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of the former President.

Legal proceedings related to the case are still ongoing.

Pending the conclusion of those proceedings, the Attorney General instructed that the property and the structure, which had been under CID custody, be handed over to the Irrigation Department. 

The department confirmed that the takeover was based on the principle that any construction on its land falls under its ownership.