While answering questions by journalist during announcement of cabinet decision yesterday , Cabinet Co spokesman Rajitha Senaratna said, that the Prime Minister did not know about the Horana Tyre factory before he reached the location to open it. Further Rajitha said, that land was given at Rs.100/- per Acre.
In reply Malik Samarawickrama, Development Strategies and International Trade Minister has issued a statement rejecting claims made by Minister Rajitha Senaratne with regard to the Horana Tyre factory.
He stated that both the President and the Prime Minister were informed about the investor of the factory well in advance and land was given for Rs.100/- per Acre is incorrect.
In fact, the Government Chief Valuer had valued the land at Rs. 170,825,000/- and the investor has agreed to pay the total amount upfront.”
“The Chief Valuer has also indicated that a further Rs. 10,000/- be charged as an annual nominal fee,” he added.
The 100 acre land at Horana, Wagawaththa Industrial Zone is a bare undeveloped land undulating in most areas.
Based on the technical investigations done by Central Engineering and Consultancy Bureau (CECB), it is noted that the investor has to incur a sum of about Rs.300 to 400 Mn as per the estimate to bring the land to a usable state. Lot of ambiguities were there in Malik’s statement.
Observers say on reading Malik statement it was clear, that he is avoiding answering direct to the issue of granting100 acres of land at Rs 100 per acre and beating the bush.
