NPP law imposed on Polhena beach.

We reported on the 23rd that the initial deadline for the demolition of illegal and unauthorized constructions on the beautiful Polhena beach in Matara, which was set for August 20th, was later postponed to September 24th.

When I wrote that note on the 23rd, I stated as follows. "It is certain that this "Polhena Nadagama" will not end by the 24th of this month, that is, tomorrow. Everyone will be able to witness the miracle of implementing the law equally from September 24th." The same thing I said has already happened.

I further stated in that note as follows.

"Since it is well known that the common people have one law and those with political power and kinship ties have another law, will all the unauthorized constructions on the Polhena beach in Matara be removed?"  Let's wait and see..!" I posted on my Facebook page on the 15th.

The 'bulldozer of law' has been deployed on other beaches in the southern province of the island, namely in Hirikatiya, Weligama, Midigama, Ahangama and other areas, and the 'bulldozer of law' has turned its back on the powerful in Polhena, Matara.

Environmentalists and ordinary citizens alike were watching with wide eyes to see how the law was being implemented equally for everyone, but what they could see was how the law was being implemented in one way for the innocent and in another way for the relatives of politicians and heads of institutions.

The decision was taken by Turni Pradeep Kumara, Director General of the Department of Coastal Conservation and Coastal Resources Management, under pressure from politicians including Sevanella and Handunnethi, the wife of the Director General of the Department of Coastal Conservation and Coastal Resources Management. 

​The strange letter "postponing the removal of debris" received on the evening of the 23rd!...

​While all arrangements were made to bring the bulldozers to the Polhena beach on the morning of September 24, the Matara Regional Office received an urgent letter from Director General Turni Pradeep Kumara on the evening of September 23.

The letter states, "The demolition of unauthorized constructions on the Polhena beach in Matara should be stopped immediately. It states that the unauthorized constructions should be postponed until April 2027."

The reason given for this decision is to allow illegal builders to do business until the end of the tourist season!

This is a unique turning point not only in the history of public administration in Sri Lanka but also in the history of world law.

Accordingly, this has set a good precedent for criminals or illegal traffickers to not appear before the police or the courts until their "season" is over.

There are many serious consequences and disadvantages arising from this wonderful decision.

1. Further encouragement of unauthorized builders.

Unauthorized builders who were about to fall under the law are now happy to have received a "bonus period" from the government. As a result, they continue  They will not hesitate to expand the construction or pour more concrete.

2.​ New illegal immigrants will emerge.

Others who see this kind of state patronage for "good wrongdoers" will also think that it is more profitable to first build buildings by pouring concrete outside the law and then get a delay from the friendly Director General.

3.​ The law is extremely helpless in other areas.

When only Polhena in Matara gets the "compassion of the tourist season", it is ridiculous that only small shops or temporary constructions of innocent ordinary people in other parts of the island are quickly demolished. They too will have to be allowed to do so.

4.​ The Director General's relatives and political hand is exposed.  

Here, the relatives and political influences (especially the influence of the Handunnetti faction) of the Director General's wife have been fully exposed, and the law is a tool for the powerful.  It has been proven once again that it is a sin.

The President's speeches and the actions of the Minister

​No matter how much President Anura Kumara Dissanayake talks about illegal constructions on the Wellawatte beach or in the south, and the stories of sharks being caught on the beach, this incident has clearly shown that at the ground level, the heads of the relevant institutions and their local political leadership do not take them seriously. 

By giving the law time to the illegal constructions on the Polhena beach by pointing to the "tourist season", it is clear that instead of "system change", what is happening is only putting a new polish on the old corrupt ring.

​Accordingly, now is a comfortable time for all those who want to see the "illegal constructions" that will remain on the Polhena beach until April 2027 and praise the masterminds of the permit mafia who supported it  It has dawned!

Even though they climbed onto the stage and shouted "the law is the same for all" to the point of bursting their glasses, it is very clear from this incident that they are just words and there is no action after those words.

Now the National People's Powers government can come up with a good slogan. That is "We are one, we are one, and that is all that we are."

Jayalathge Sunil Gamini ✍️