Immediate attention required:Unauthorised constructions along reservations on either side of canals
Soon after the flash floods that hit Colombo in the early 1990’s the CMC, RDA and the Land Reclamation Department initiated a scheme under the direction of the then President late R. Premadasa whereby those living in unauthorized constructions within 10 feet from the bund of the canal were provided with land in Attidiya and moved out with transport and other facilities being provided to the families free of charge.
Thereafter all the unauthorized constructions were demolished and a 10 foot roadway was constructed alongside the canal so that trucks etc., could come regularly to collect the garbage retrieved from the canal.
As time passed on some people began constructing houses once again on the road reservation.
This could be clearly observed at some points on the Dehiwala side of Sri Subuthi Mawatha in Wellawatte. There is also another point on Veluwanarama Road close to the Pamankada Bridge where about six houses were demolished on a court order. This was okay for a few months, but since of late constructions have begun and nearly 10 houses have been built on the road reservation between Veluwanarama Road and the Canal. It is the duty of the Grama Niladaris of the area, Land Reclamation Board Officers and also the Environment Police to nab them at the construction stage. Even now they could be evicted since there is a previous court order.
The Police should also ensure that the residents of the area mentioned do not store building materials on the road and also mix cement etc., on the road causing inconvenience to the motorists as it blocks the road.
C. Atukorala
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