Old water tank of the hospital

Medical officers of the hospital during this period had raised the matter with the responsible authorities, but no legal action has been taken so far, he said.

When he brought the matter to the notice of the divisional secretary, she has replied that the deputy land commissioner (development) has sent a letter instructing her to halt legal action regarding the matter immediately, said Dr. Wickramaratne.

The old water tank of the hospital is located in the land seized by the illegal occupant.

The map of the land belonging to the hospital. Marked is the land being illegally occupied

The hospital’s district medical officer Dr. Jagath Wimalaratne said he assumed duties only a month ago, and that he would inquire into the matter and take necessary action.

Divisional secretary R.M.D.P. Pushpa Kumari said that she has investigated complaints by the hospital, gone through the maps and found the seized land belonged to the hospital.

As legal action was being initiated, she received a letter from the deputy land commissioner (development) instructing her to halt legal action.

The map of the land of the hospital, as prepared by the Survey Department

Deputy land commissioner (development) N.W.W. Indrani said over the phone that the person in question has been occupying the land for a long time, and had lodged a complaint against the hospital after it got the land surveyed.

She went onto say that she had contacted the Survey Department, which said that there had been a mistake.

However, inquiries made by Sri Lanka Mirror found that the land has in fact been allotted for the official quarters of the hospital.

The illegal occupant of the land is a relative of a top figure in the previous Rajapaksa regime.

Hence, the delay in the acquiring of the land.

(Story & pictures: W.A. Piyatilake)