Petition against Richad to be considered

The Court of Appeal today decided to consider the petition filed against Minister Richard Bathiudeen over charges of building public settlements by clearing the Wilpattu National Park.

Appeals Court Judge Arjun Obeysekera decided to consider the petition on the 28th of June.The petition was filed by a Journalist and a Lawyer.

Meanwhile a debate on claims that housing settlements have once again commenced in Wilpattu took centre stage in Parliament today.

Leader of the JVP Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake raised an inquiry under Standing Orders, questioning subject Minister Rishad Bathiudeen of the basis of such allegations.

Responding to the inquiry Minister Bathiudeen rejected all accusations levelled against him claiming they were false. The Minister meanwhile requested Parliament to appoint a Select Committee to probe the matter.

Leader of the House Minister Lakshman Kiriella and Minister John Amaratunga also commented on the issue.

MP Dissanayake said there was an area in which a group of Muslims had settled while another 500 acres were occupied for a Navy camp.

Minister Rishad Bathiudeen noted when he was appointed as the Minister of rehabilitation during the tenure of Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2009 there were 300,000 displaced individuals.

The Minister stressed a Presidential Commission or a task force was established under the leadership of Basil Rajapaksa which resulted in the rehabilitation of 300,000 people.

Minister Bathiudeen claimed after the year 2012 not a single inch of land was handed over for any purpose adding even the present government did not hand over land.

The Minister while noting Wilpattu is one of our greatest national treasures said he is prepared to accept any punishment if he has caused any destruction to the forestry.

Joining the debate Minister Lakshman Kiriella the subject Minister provided a sufficient explanation on the matter proving that the land was released in 2012.Minister John Amaratunga meanwhile said all related incidents occurred during the previous tenure.