Man climbs tower in protest!

by Kataragama Gr. Cor.

A man calling himself Range has climbed the private communication tower behind Kataragama police on Wednesday (18) claiming that he had been deprived of the part of the money which belonged to him from gem mining at Thammennawa, Kataragama.

He has climbed the tower which is over 100 meters high at about 12.30 p.m. He claimed that the land where Thammennawa gem deposit was found belonged to him and had resided with his wife and two children for more than 4 years.

When accidentally the gem deposit was found in his land he had been asked to vacate his land by the Kataragama D.S. with an assurance from the authorities of the Gem Corporation that once the gems were sold he would be given his share of money.

Range said that after the gems were sold a list of residents of Thammennawa had been prepared by the D.S.'s office but his name had been deleted.

He said that he wants either Uva Chief Minister Sashindra Rajapaksa or President Mahinda Rajapaksa to intervene in this matter.