STRICT ACTION TO BE TAKEN AGAINST UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES

Legal action will be taken against illegal and unauthorized structures in and around Colombo and across the country from June, Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

The Urban Development Authority (UDA) had identified close to 1,800 illegal and unauthorized constructions in Colombo city alone. The Minister went on to say that some of the powers vested with local government bodies were transferred to the UDA to conduct a survey on such structures and to take necessary measures to remove them.

“We have not taken over a major part of the powers they have, instead we have only used one percent of our administrative powers to conduct a survey and remove unauthorized structures. We have already informed the Provincial Councils of this,” he said.

The Act which established the UDA also ensured it had the authority to remove unauthorized structures, a power, which will remain vested with the UDA until changed in parliament. The Minister explained that Provincial Councils were not related to such powers vested with the UDA.

“We will demolish all structures which do not have the necessary approvals from the UDA. The Authority has not used any powers apart from those vested with it when it was established in 1978,” he said.

During the previous budget debate, Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Harsha De Silva had proposed that the Ministry act on illegal constructions which were rapidly increasing, as Municipal Councils failed to halt their progress. Illegal structures would only add to the increasing traffic congestion, especially within Colombo City.

The Minister explained that some individuals obtained approval to construct just five floors but ultimately constructed ten floors. “The legal procedures to remove these structures have taken more than 20 years. These are the cases that we have already filed. We have taken measures to remove these structures within the next six months,” the Minister said.