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Corea bolt hits Srimani
Former Cabinet Minister Srimani Athulathmudali was in for a shock this week when a high-profile housing developer returned the monies she had paid upfront for a luxury apartment in Colombo's residential quarter.

The Sunday Times learns that Ms. Athulathmudali had made a full payment for the purchase of one of the 88 apartments put up at Hydepark Corner by the Ceylinco Homes International (Lotus) Pvt. Ltd in January.

The Company had initially informed her that since the apartments were being made available in March, they could sign the relevant agreement thereafter, but until last week the documents had not been signed.

However, this week Ms Athulathmudali had received a letter saying that the money was being returned as she had made 'too many queries' on matters which she 'had no authority' to do so.

They said there was also no lawful agreement on the matter, but had been issuing receipts for the payments made.The Sunday Times learns that one of the matters raised by Ms. Athulathmudali had been about the manner in which the electricity connections had been given, as she had observed that each unit did not have separate metres.

Ms. Athulathmudali had also wanted some of the doors changed and the rusted railings replaced. In a separate letter to Ms. Athulathmudali sent by lawyers of Lalith Kothalawala, Chairman of Ceylinco Group, they had raised questions about an article which appeared about Dr. Gamani Corea in the Ravaya newspaper three weeks ago.

The lawyers had questioned whether Ms. Athulathmudali had any contact with the newspaper, made any comment to the newspaper or divulged any information. The same letter had been sent to a few others referred to in the article. The Sunday Times learns that Ms. Athulathmudali is consulting her lawyers regarding both matters.

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