Malwana Property to Be Handed Over to UGC - PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has announced that steps will be taken to hand over the Malwana property, including a house previously alleged to belong to Basil Rajapaksa but later found to have no owner, to the University Grants Commission.

The Prime Minister made this statement during a meeting held today at the Prime Minister’s Office with members of the Inter-University Students’ Federation.

A group of IUSF representatives who had occupied the Malwana residence for several days met the Prime Minister earlier today.

During the discussion, the Prime Minister stated that she is ready to listen to the concerns of university students at any time. 

She also emphasized that decisions must be taken following broad consultation and careful evaluation involving all relevant stakeholders.

She informed student representatives that the Malwana land, currently under the Dompe Divisional Secretariat, will be transferred to the University Grants Commission. Following a feasibility study, steps will be taken to utilize the land for appropriate purposes.

"We have discussed whether this land should be used to construct a hostel complex along with faculty buildings, or to establish a new university. These ideas are still at the discussion stage, and the government has agreed to engage us in the decision-making process. We believe the struggle we carried out has been successful. Accordingly, we have decided to withdraw from the Malwana residence today," said Sasindu Perera, Convener of the Inter-University Students’ Federation.

Accordingly, the student representatives vacated the Malwana property by this afternoon.