The Road Development Authority (RDA) has yesterday taken over part of the Colombo Swimming Club, which includes the swimming pool, leaving members in shock and dismay.

“We were entirely surprised by this turn of events,” the management said, “as we had been in communication with both the Ministry of Land and the Ministry of Highways regarding divestiture of this land.”

“In fact we have received two letters from the Ministry of Land, dated 29th March 2017 and 6th  June 2017, that our request was being considered, and that they were awaiting details regarding compensation offered and other matters before proceeding to evaluating our request.’

“We have not received any communication from either the Ministry of Land or Ministry of Highways informing us that our request had been rejected,” Colombo Swimming Club management said.

It said that despite explanations and production of documents to the RDA it had  “insisted on executing the court order, without even giving us any time whatsoever to make alternate arrangements or appeal to higher authorities.”

“It is now clear the RDA has gone to court and obtained a court order by suppressing facts. We were not given prior notice of the court action and therefore were never in a position to present full facts before the courts,’ the Colombo Swimming Club said.

 'We also observed from the court order produced by the RDA that the order was issued on 7th July 2017 - it is clear that they suppressed it from us until today, and chose to come after 12 noon on a Friday, to prevent us having any ability to go to court to seek relief, it said. 

It added that it was in consultation with lawyers and considering “all options” before them.