Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena has ordered the Secretary, Ministry of Transport to conduct an immediate investigation into the unauthorised constructions and ongoing constructions in the reserve on both sides of the Polonnaruwa-Batticaloa railway track and take steps to remove those constructions.
The Minister made this order following continuous complaints from the people and Government officials while he was on an observation tour in the area between Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa on Friday, July 21. It has also been reported to the Minister that these misdeeds had allegedly taken place with the connivance of some officials of the Railway Department.
The Minister has ordered the Transport Ministry Secretary to summon all the officials including the District Secretaries, Divisional Secretaries and police to conduct investigations and submit a report to him immediately.