UDA Faces Scandal over Irregular Approval for 40-Storey Tower

When Home Lands Group launched its grand “Pentara Residencies” in Thummulla, Colombo 5, the 40-storey luxury apartment complex was hailed as Sri Lanka’s largest-ever local real estate investment. But beneath the glamour lies a deepening controversy involving illegal approvals, zoning violations, and alleged corruption within the Urban Development Authority (UDA).

The storm erupted when the UDA Chairman appointed two senior officials Yasantha Pradeep and E. N. S. B. Ekanayake to probe allegations that the project had been approved unlawfully. The move, however, drew a furious backlash on social media, with users comparing it to “asking the thief’s mother to investigate the theft,” since the same two officials were reportedly responsible for granting the irregular approval.

Activists claim the UDA’s internal probe is nothing more than a cover-up to mislead the President and the newly appointed Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayake, who is currently on an official visit to China. Reports suggest the UDA Chairman is attempting to bury the issue before the Minister returns.

At the heart of the dispute are three major violations cited by civic groups and planning experts:

Zoning Violation: A plot classified as a Special Residential Zone was unlawfully treated as part of a Mixed Development Zone.

Height Limit Breach: Approval was granted for a 120-metre tower, even though the legal cap is 50 metres.

Falsified Frontage Width: The project’s frontage, less than 30 metres, was fraudulently recorded as 40 metres to satisfy UDA building criteria.

Government gazette regulations clearly state that building height can be calculated only when both access roads fall within the same zoning category. In this case, one entrance lies in a Mixed Development Zone and the other in a Special Residential Zone, making such an approval legally invalid.

Adding to the mounting pressure, resident Thusitha Kumara Kulasingham lodged complaints with the President and Prime Minister, alleging that UDA officials manipulated calculations to grant approval for a 40-storey structure.

 Both the Presidential Secretariat (10.10.2025) and the Prime Minister’s Office (14.10.2025) confirmed receipt of her complaint and said relevant authorities were instructed to take legal action if irregularities are found.

Meanwhile, civic watchdog Mathrubhumi announced plans to file legal proceedings against the UDA Chairman, alleging bribery and abuse of office. Several residents of Claessen’s and Tickell’s Roads have also protested, accusing the UDA of applying double standards denying ordinary homeowners permits beyond three floors while greenlighting high-end luxury towers.

Home Lands Group insists that all statutory and environmental approvals were obtained and that “Pentara Residencies fully complies with UDA and NBRO regulations.” Yet the controversy continues to expose serious governance lapses in Sri Lanka’s urban planning sector.

As one activist put it bluntly:“No tower should rise higher than the law itself. If corruption goes unchecked, Colombo’s skyline will stand on the ruins of public trust.”