Complaints mount after ACC declares 60% ineligible for flats

A group of people entered the Anti-Corruption Commission's (ACC) office and protested, expressing dissatisfaction over ACC’s claim that 60% of those on the permanent list did not meet the criteria for the first 4,000 flats to be issued under the previous government's Gedhoruveriya scheme to provide flats to people living in Male area.

The ACC on Monday announced the findings of its investigation into the housing scheme at a press conference. The commission said among the forms examined in the investigation:

The ACC did not disclose who the ineligible people were on the list; no government agency has.

People believed to be on the list nevertheless entered the ACC office on Tuesday and voiced their complaints. Videos of the protest have been posted on social media. In the video one person is seen to be calling over and over again "Where are our rights?".

The video also shows police moving in and speaking with the protesters.

The ACC could not be reached for comment.

Some people have already previously staged a protest inside the ACC premises against the delay in handing over the flats and land.

The ACC stopped the handover of flats in late November as it had begun investigating complaints that the previous government was announcing a corrupt list and handing over land registries illegally. However, the commission on Thursday allowed the Housing Ministry to review the forms and award the flats to the rightful and deserving recipients.

ACC directed the Housing Ministry:

The Housing Ministry has said that it has sought further advice from the ACC. However, no details were given.