He has got involved in two ministries in consideration of complaints about illegal land grabbing by government politicians and their friends.

Certain ministers, deputy ministers, their personal staff members and officials are taking over state land, reclaiming them and occupying them.

Also, they are exerting political pressure to make their actions legal.

In view of this situation, the president has issued several orders to John Amaratunga’s lands ministry and Champika Ranawaka’s megapolis ministry.

According to reports reaching us, the Land Reform Commission has been told to suspend surveying, transferring and other activities with regard to state land until further notice.

Attempts to reach LRC chairman Sumanadasa Thambugala for a comment were unsuccessful.

Also, the survey and the land clearance departments have been handed over to state minister T.B. Ekanayake.

Meanwhile, the Land Reclamation and Development Board of the megapolis ministry has been instructed to suspend reclamation and development of land.

Its chairman Asela Iddawela confirmed having received such an order.

The president is likely to issue similar orders mainly to the finance ministry, FCID and the police.