Govt. to confiscate flats if owner doesn’t come forward

By Ramesh Warallagama

Around 20 flats situated in the heart of Colombo city are alleged to be owned by a businessman with links to the LTTE and domiciled in Canada, intelligence units say. According to such intelligence units these details have emerged during investigations conducted regarding owners of the 20 buildings, and it is strongly believed that this businessman has provided financial support to the armed struggle of the now-defeated LTTE, during the height of the Eelam war.
As a result of the Urban Development Authority being absorbed into the defence ministry, these investigations have been carried out scrupulously, sources further stated.
Meanwhile, over 40 such flats which have been erected sans approval from the relevant authorities have also been identified, and currently inquiries are being conducted to ascertain whether they have any owners with valid documents, or whether they could be mere fronts for illegal organizations and activities.
Defence Ministry sources said that if this alleged businessman based in Canada who is said to own these flats does not come forward to prove ownership, these properties would be confiscated by the government shortly.