The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has condemned the illegal evictions carried out by the UDA in Colombo. Issuing a statement the the Standing Committee on Rule of Law of the Bar Association says that the Urban Development Authority which comes under the Ministry of Defence has been carrying out illegal evictions of families living at Wanathamulla, Borella without resort to the law on acquisition of private property. What is of deep concern is the use of army personal to threaten and intimidate residents to vacate their premises.
Lal Wijenayake – Chairman,Standing Committee on Rule of Law of the Bar Association
“This is in blatant violation of the law and in violation of the fundamental rights of the residents. The UDA is bound to follow the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act in acquiring land for specific public purposes.” the statement said.
The Bar Associations further notes that this is not an isolated incident and is seen as another incident of the use of the armed forces to violate the law and act arbitrarily. This is seen as a continuation of the militarization of civil society that we see around us.
“We call upon the government to immediately stop this illegal and unconstitutional process and to act according to the law of the country in acquiring private property.”
The military has been extensively used to “clean” the slums and the poor illegal dwellers in Colombo as part of Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s Colombo City beatification project.
LEVI / January 30, 2014
This is the expected result of playing Foul.
You play Games with out Umpires, Referees or judges. The Spectators Cheer the Players for the Foul Game played to Victory.
Then Comes the turn of the Spectators to dole out when the hat is sent round for celebration.
The money so gathered is used to buy intoxicating substances. After consuming them. The players begin their next round of games. and this they are so badly drunk, they cannot differentiate between opponents and the spectators. resulting in the spectators getting their share for cheering.
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Kalupahana / February 1, 2014
The Bar Association should write to all international donors who are funding the UDA and militarization of Sri Lanka – World Bank, Asian Development and Japanese and Chinese Govt.s to STOP funding the UDA which is evicting poor people to SUPERFICIALLY beautify Colombo while militarizing and destroying democratic institutions. The World Bank and ADB preach good governance but practice the opposite. The garbage stink in beautified Colombo 7 tells the story of a Rotten and CORRUPT mode of “development” that includes cutting down of all valuable timber trees which are replanted with puny little treas.
Frankly, I would rather have good governance and NO beautification. But the fact is that good governance and a nice city are NOT exclusive and can be achieved in an uncorrupt and intelligent leadership and policy makers.
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Dodo / February 1, 2014
Good beginning and hats off to Bar Association for this resolution. But Jarapassa will just ignore this so more action is needed.
Better to take action and write to donors – World Bank and Asian Development Bank etc., to stop funding UDA.
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Liberal One / January 30, 2014
They should state what illegal activities took place without vague claims like “threats” and “intimidation” and “militarization”.
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Safa / January 30, 2014
Bar association should come forward to provide legal representation and file cases against UDA and MOD in the courts. These poor people cannot afford the legal costs and are the mercy of the Govt.
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Liberal One / January 30, 2014
Do you even know whether these are not illegal settlements and what UDA is doing is illegal before taking their side?
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Freedom lover / January 31, 2014
What a pity. This government is simply leading this nation backwards to lawless cavemen’s days. Rule of law is for dogs and cats. Barbarian styled admin. Don’t no where these would end?
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XXX / January 31, 2014
So keeping slums lie around is the way to go forward?
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gamini / February 1, 2014
First provide alternate housing and then clear slums.
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