People living in 213 houses in a number of villages belonging to several housing projects constructed by then Housing Minister and present Opposition Leader on the road leading to the Mattala Airport allege that officials of the current Government are trying to acquire their houses by force.
Opposition Leader visited Lunugamvehera, Mattala on Saturday to inquire into the situation that has arisen.
The people alleged that the present Government is giving various false reasons and are planning to acquire these villages that were constructed in 2017. They accuse the officials of attempting to take over 213 houses in five villages including Ethrajagama, Siyath Lankagama and Siribaragama which were built by Sajith Premadasa in the year 2017 when he was the Minister of Housing and Construction.
A group of lawyers from the Samagi Jana Balavegaya together with the Opposition Leader have arrived in Mattala on the request of the people to inquire into the situation.
Addressing the people, the Opposition Leader said that he will make arrangements to provide legal assistance free of charge, to all who will face the injustice of this action of the Government and that he will continue to stand up on their behalf. Speaking further Sajith Premadasa told the people that if the government attempts to chase away people from houses that were legally handed over by the previous government they will engage in a battle.