The Urban Development Authority (UDA) has initiated a special investigation into a 40-storey luxury residential project in Colombo’s Polduwa Junction, following complaints from local residents over alleged zoning violations and community impact.
The project, Pentara Residencies, developed by Home Lands Skyline (Pvt) Ltd, consists of twin towers on Thummulla junction in Colombo 5.
Residents in the area have filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal seeking to revoke the initial plan approval, arguing that while the UDA authorized only eight floors for parking and 24 residential floors, the development now proposes 40 floors.
Petitioners further allege that the project was approved under an incorrect zoning classification.
They contend the land falls within a “Special Primary Residential Development Zone,” which limits building height and density, whereas the UDA reportedly classified it as a “Medium-Density Mixed Development Zone I,” allowing relaxed height and density controls.
Complaints were also submitted directly to the President, prompting instructions from the Presidential Secretariat and Prime Minister’s Office for the UDA to review the approval process.
An internal committee has been appointed to investigate whether the authorization was flawed or influenced improperly.
Meanwhile, Home Lands Group Chairman Naleen Herath defended the project, saying it has secured all required approvals from 11 government institutions, including the UDA, National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), and Central Environmental Authority (CEA).
“All statutory and environmental requirements for Pentara Residencies have been fully satisfied,” Herath said, noting that NBRO oversees daily structural and safety compliance during construction.
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