1 week Ago By Sahan Weerasooriya
Four others, including Mervyn, remanded till 05 MayThe Court of Appeal yesterday (28) dismissed a writ petition filed by former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera seeking an order to prevent his arrest in connection with the alleged construction of shops on a block of land belonging to the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and selling them, using forged documents.The alleged illegal acquisition of state land took place in Kiribathgoda, in the Kelaniya Divisional Secretariat area.The order was issued by a bench, comprising the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mohammed Laffar Tahir and Justice Priyantha Fernando.
Ranaweera, who unsuccessfully contested the last general election in the Gampaha district, is evading arrest.Former Minister Mervyn Silva, arrested by the CID, at his Battaramulla residence, on 05 March, and three others, have been remanded till 05 May over the same incident.Police identified the former Kelaniya PS Deputy Chairman Dr.
Jayantha Singhabahu Cabraal, Navin Weerakoon and Mervyn Silva’s former Parliamentary Affairs Secretary, Don Sarath Kumara Edirisinghe as those remanded till 05 May.The alleged acquisition of state land was reported to the CID in 2015 at the beginning of the Yahapalana administration.Police are also looking for Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha member Milroy Perera, also wanted in connection with the ongoing investigation.
Sources said that the plot of land in question, encompassing 6 acres, 3 roods, and 11 perches, had been transferred to the Kelaniya Divisional Secretariat to be developed as part of a new town plan, but Mervyn Silva and his supporters got together and sold it with forged documents. (SF).
