The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, thank you for this opportunity. Recently in Parliament I was linked by name as “Punaruda Ralahami.” Various media also criticized me. This arose from an alleged entry to a property in Imbulgoda. I must clarify: news claimed I forcibly entered a temple. I have all documents relating to the said lands. None indicate temple ownership. For example, on 2012.03.02 a land at Ihala Yagoda, Imbulgoda, belonging to K.D. Parakrama Yagoda, was transferred to the Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports and Spiritual Development Foundation in Homagama, Diyagama, for Rs. 500,000. Later it was sold for Rs. 1,000,000. Another land at Ihala Imbulgoda, No. 317, belonging to H.T. Thameera Premachandra, H.P. Premachandra, and N.L.M. Swarnalatha, was taken over by one Shiranthi Wickramasinghe Rajapaksa of No. 968, Tangalle, Matara Road, Carlton House, with NIC 535253314V, for Rs. 500,000. There is confusion about the NIC digits and identity; I cannot say more. Another at Makola North, Thembiligasmulla, was also taken over by Shiranthi Wickramasinghe Rajapaksa of No. 968, Tangalle, Matara Road, with NIC 535253314V. All these documents are with me and I table them.

¶ 02 None of these deeds mention temple ownership or a Chief Incumbent’s name. Later, on 2023.10.10, these lands were transferred to Amila Samararatna Kodikara of No. 132A, S.D.S. Jayasinghe Mawatha, Nugegoda, NIC 920620035V, for Rs. 12,000,000 each—lands bought for Rs. 500,000 and Rs. 1,000,000 in 2012. I will not take more time. This is the true story. The community faces a serious issue as to how these lands were acquired; some documents were executed at Temple Trees. We have no intention of interfering with temples. I request the CID to investigate. Thank you.

¶ 03 • Tabled. • Placed in the Library.