The Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) yesterday (14) staged a protest demanding that the controversial Malwana property, widely known as an ownerless estate, be handed over for public use, including for universities.
The protesters said that the move was intended to remind the current Government of its pledge to “return to the people the properties stolen from the people” when it came to power. The IUSF called on the authorities to allocate the land and house for the use of universities facing space constraints as well as for broader public purposes.
The property, which spans around 15 acres, had previously been taken over by the Justice Ministry after no legal owner was identified. The development followed statements made to court by lawyers representing former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, informing the Judiciary that he had no connection to the property.
A court later ordered the house and land be auctioned. During the aragalaya protest movement, parts of the property were set on fire by unidentified individuals, causing partial damage to the house. Although there were later plans to establish an International Judges’ Research and Training Centre at the site, the proposal has remained inactive for an extended period.
The IUSF has now formally requested that the property be transferred for student and public use.
Speaking to The Daily Morning, IUSF Convenor, Sasindu Perera, said they entered the house in Malwana during the daytime with around 100 students representing all the State universities, and that they will not leave the property until progressive remedies are given for the issues of university students.
According to him, although the Police had tried to stop the students from entering the building, they entered forcefully, disregarding Police barriers. No injuries were reported, and no one has been arrested so far. Police and security forces have been deployed at the location to handle the situation.
“The issue of the lack of facilities for universities is a long-standing issue that we have been demanding answers for years for. Yet, we have not been given any progressive answer so far. These properties are being taken away by the Government, yet, to date, they are not being used for any purpose. So, we demand to use these properties to enlarge university facilities,” he added. He further stated that there are other places, such as houses in Gampaha, Oruthotapara and Kataragama, that are also being taken away from owners but have not been put to any use. “The education sector is one of the most suitable sectors that these resources can be invested in,” he said.