The land in question had been sold to a Russian firm, Union Fish, during the period Mahinda Wijesekara was the subject minister.

However, saying the Russian company has not come forward to claim ownership, the incumbent minister and Corporation chairman Thusitha Aluthpathiranage has leased out the land.

The Rs. 30,000 a month lease that will be earned from a private firm will go towards paying salaries of the Corporation staff in the southern province.