• Ministry orders UDA probe into politicians and their associates

The Ministry of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing has instructed the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to submit a report on past irregularities related to its land and properties, including instances where certain politicians had illegally used them or handed them over to their associates.

In the past, there have been numerous reports of UDA-owned properties being illegally occupied by various parties, along with allegations of irregularities and corruption in processes involving the UDA.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, the Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing T.B. Sarath said that the ministry has begun looking into these allegations. “As a first step, we have instructed the UDA to submit a report on the claims related to its properties. This will include cases where UDA-owned lands and properties were illegally acquired or occupied by politicians, and instances where they were granted to their associates,” he said.

It was revealed in the Parliament recently that 26 former Parliamentarians, whose houses were set on fire during the 2022 unrest, had purchased 26 units from the Viyathpura Housing Scheme belonging to the UDA at nominal prices, resulting in a loss of Rs. 220 million to the government.

Established under the UDA Law, No. 41 of 1978, the UDA is tasked with promoting integrated planning and the implementation of the economic, social, and physical development of certain areas declared as urban development areas.