The headlines have recently been burning with the story that Land Minister S.M. Chandrasena had allegedly attempted to hand over 185 acres of state-owned land near Kaduwela to a businessman for free
Media speculations went on claiming that the relevant proposal was discussed in the Cabinet last week, same as the week before, but Minister Chandrasena was compelled to withdraw the paper due to strong opposition from a number of Cabinet ministers.
However, these reports failed to disclose the name of the supposed business figure behind the deal.
Sources disclosed that Minister Chandrasena had attempted to hand over this valuable land to Nandana Lokuwithana, a well known billionaire, with a free grant.
Lokuwithana, who owns the Marriott Hotel in Dubai, has invested in a number of areas in Sri Lanka, particularly the construction and steel industries. The billionaire is said to have established a large tire factory in Kalutara recently as well.
Minister Chandrasena is believed to have been instructed by another powerful figure in the government to hand over the land to Lokuwithana.
