SRI LANKA, March 24 -- Leader of the House and Public Enterprises, Kandyan Heritage and Kandy Development Minister, Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament yesterday that the then Economic Development Minister, Basil Rajapaksa had given permission for Rishard Bathuideen to clear the Wilpattu Jungle in 2012.
Minister Kiriella said this was in 2012. Basil Rajapaksa on the instructions of the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa had given 2,800 acres to Rishard Bathuideen. However, this is now being given much publicity as a project launched by the incumbent Government.
That is totally wrong and it was done by the previous Government.
The Minister was responding to a Point of Order raised by UNP Ratnapura District MP Hesha Withanage who demanded that...