The Transport and Highways Minister has no involvement or influence in the court order given to remove the Orugodawatta Sri Sambuddhaloka Temple built on the Colombo Baseline Road, the Ministry in a statement said.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered the immediate removal of the construction of the Orugodawatta Sri Sambuddhaloka Viharaya, which has been illegally built blocking the main road at the Orugodawatta intersection, near the entrance of the Colombo - Katunayake Expressway.
The Road Development Authority has submitted a complaint to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court in 2021 to release the land belonging to the Road Development Authority, which is to be connected to the expressway that is to be built on the pillars, and on this main road named as a national road.
Taking into account the facts presented according to the complaint, Colombo Additional Magistrate Y. R. B. Nelumdeniya has issued a order on 25.08.2021 to demolish and evacuate this place which has been occupied by force.
On 23.03.2023 and 21.06.2023, due to the lack of proper response, the Additional Magistrate of the Court of Colombo has again issued an order to remove this. Accordingly, an order has been issued to the defendant to remove this construction before July 7.
Transport and Highways Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena did not hold the position of Transport and Highways Minister at the time of the initiation of this court case, which was legally carried out by the Road Development Authority, the authorized body related to the national road system, and when the initial decisions were made. He has not made any intervention or influence regarding these court orders and this court order is a decision given after an independent investigation.