IUSF protests at Basil-linked Malwana property, calls for estate to be allocated for public use

Friday, 15 May 2026 06:54 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Members of the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) yesterday staged a protest at the controversial Malwana property allegedly linked to former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, calling on the Government to allocate the estate for public and university-related purposes.

The protest was held at the nearly 15-acre Malwana estate, which had previously been described as an “ownerless property”.

Student activists said the demonstration was intended to remind the Government of its pledge to “return to the people the properties stolen from the people” after coming to power.

During the protest, IUSF representatives urged authorities to hand over the land and house for use by universities facing infrastructure and land shortages, arguing that several higher education institutions continue to operate under space constraints while State-controlled properties remain underutilised.

Members of the federation also occupied the property during the demonstration, claiming the estate should be utilised for public benefit rather than being left unused.

The property had earlier been taken over by the Ministry of Justice after authorities stated that no legal owner had been identified.