India, June 17 -- Matara District Irrigation Engineer D.M.U. Dharmapala has issued a directive to the Chairman of the Matara Cooperative Hospital, demanding the immediate removal of an unauthorized restaurant operating on the Nilwala River within 14 days.

The order, dated June 16, 2025, has been issued under Sections 65(1), 65(2), and 66 of the Irrigation Ordinance, which addresses the prevention of unauthorized construction, encroachment, or damage to irrigation reserves.

Despite an earlier notice issued on August 11, 2021 (Ref: DIE/MATA/DO/Reservation-1004/2021), the illegal establishment has continued operations for over four years without proper authorization.

Authorities have emphasized that constructing or maintaining unauthoriz...