Chief Opposition Whip MP Lakshman Kiriella says that the plot of land in Hanthana which was recently cleared is a private land belonging to him.
Kiriella, issuing a press release on the matter, stated that he had purchased the said property of about 08 acres from a planter around 30 years ago.
The MP emphasized that the relevant land area does not belong to the government, and pointing out that this is clearly stated in the documents of registration office and that ownership is also registered with the Pradeshiya Sabha.
He says that the plot of land had previously been used to cultivate tea and pepper.
Kiriella claims that only grass which had grown tall obstructing entrance to the land had been carefully cleared, which he has a right to do so as the owner of the land.
Various recent media reports had claimed that deforestation is being carried out in the area of the land in the Hanthana Mountain Range for the purpose of cultivating spices, without approval from relevant agencies.
