The Urban Development Authority (UDA) says that houses granted by the government to 51 athletes will be reclaimed if violations of the related bilateral agreement are not corrected within 14 days.

51 Sri Lankan athletes who have achieved international success have been granted houses at the “Saurapura” apartment complex in Angulana, Moratuwa. Each house is worth Rs. 1.5 million.

According to this housing transfer agreement, each athlete must complete paying installments within 30 years. The payment has also been exempted from interest.

According to the UDA, the athletes have violated the agreement by failing to pay the installments on time while some houses have been left closed indefinitely. Some have been handed over to third parties, the UDA adds.

In a final reminder sent to these athletes, the UDA has warned that they will terminate the ownership and reclaim the houses since this sort of conduct goes against the relevant Cabinet decisions the Attorney General’s instructions obtained while handing over these houses.

Speaking to ‘Lankadeepa’, an UDA spokesman had pointed out that there are many people in the country without a roof over their heads. “We have given these houses at highly concessional rates and the athletes just have to pay a relatively small amount each month. If they are evading even that payment, then, we are left with no other choice,” the spokesman had said.