POSE DENGUE THREAT IN PANADURA

Neglected land and stormwater drains

Residents of Panadura expressed concern about a possible breakout of dengue fever due to the neglected land covered with shrubs and dilapidated stormwater drains filled with stagnant water creating mosquito breeding grounds.

They said the disease would raise its head unless legal action was taken against the owners of the neglected land.

They pointed out that the side drains without concrete covers in the town and in several by-roads prevented the free flow of stormwater and created mosquito breeding grounds.

A resident of Eluwila in Panadura, Anil Sirimanna (52) said the side drains are filled with stormwater and the abandoned land was covered with shrubbery and used as dumping ground by people living in the vicinity.

“It has created mosquito breeding ground,” he said.

He said the people were living in constant fear of a possible outbreak of dengue fever. “The uncovered side drains are filled with garbage and prevent the free-flow of stormwater. This would be a serious health hazard. The danger is further aggravated by abandoned blocks of land purchased from property sales companies.

“Abandoned blocks of land have been used as dumping grounds by the families living near them regardless of its serious threat to public health. Most of these have not been assessed and assessment numbers assigned so that the Public Health Inspectors say that they were not in a position to trace the owners,” he said.

Residents requested the new Chairmen of the Panadura UC, the Panadura Pradeshiya Sabha and the Bandaragama Pradeshiya Sabha to take action against the owners of the neglected land and to clean the side drains.