ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED, DISREGARDING CMC AND UDA ORDERS

Ignoring orders by the Colombo Municipality and the Urban Development Authority (UDA), several Municipal Councillors have allegedly constructed a two storeyed building on a three perch plot of land bordering the High Security Zone in Fort.

When contacted earlier this week UDA Chairman, Jagath Munasinghe, said orders had been issued to the Colombo Municipality Commissioner to halt the illegal construction, and he believed the order had been followed through.

“This is the only plot of land from which the public can view the harbour. Many schoolchildren visiting Colombo often watch the working of the harbour from there,” he said.

The issue was highlighted in the Daily Mirror on September15. When contacted at the time, CMC Commissioner V.K.A. Anura stated that the three perch plot of land situated down Sir Baron Jayathilake Mawatha was part of the High Security Zone.

Mr. Anura also stated that Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake was not present in the country and that three council members were using the opportunity to construct the stalls before her return. A complaint lodged with relevant officials had led to the constructions being halted under the directions of the commissioner, it was believed.

However, when the Daily Mirror visited the area, a two storeyed building had been constructed with the ground floor ready to be rented out as stalls and the top floor already having been let to an office providing services relating to customs.

When Colombo Mayor Ms. Senanayake was contacted she said that Colombo Commissioner V.K.A. Anura had been directed to take necessary steps. However, when she was contacted earlier in the week Ms. Senanayake said she was unaware of the issue and would take immediate action if the building was found to be illegally constructed.

The land situated in the high security zone is valued at Rs. 30 million a perch, bringing the complete value of the land to Rs. 90 million.