Sanjaya Mahawatta Says Investors Were Unfairly Affected During Public

Civil Intelligence Front convenor Sanjaya Mahawatta has claimed that people who came to sign a public petition concerning cultivation-based investment schemes were subjected to unfair treatment following a dispute he had with police officers.

Speaking at a Civil Intelligence Front media briefing, Mahawatta said a confrontation with a police officer during the petition campaign had received media attention, while the purpose of the gathering had not been adequately reported.

“We came there to sign a public petition concerning cultivation investments,” Mahawatta said.

He claimed that a large number of people had invested money in cultivation-related schemes and had subsequently lost their funds.

According to Mahawatta, approximately 35,000 people had been affected and the campaign was intended to raise awareness about their situation.

He alleged that the Central Bank of Sri Lanka should be held responsible for the circumstances surrounding the investments and called for action to address the concerns of those who had lost money.

Mahawatta also questioned restrictions on public activity, saying that people should have the freedom to go to Independence Square to raise their concerns.

The Central Bank has separately warned the public about unauthorised deposit-taking schemes operating under the guise of plantation and agriculture investments, advising people to verify whether such entities have the necessary regulatory authority.