KANDANA PUBLIC MARKET DILAPIDATED
Public, traders express concerns over safety
A large number of customers patronising the Public Market in Kandana daily as well as vendors, face many difficulties due to no attention being given to refurbish the establishment over many decades.
The public market building which is almost four decades old, consists of 107 small and medium shops and stalls in two storeys.
The vendors of the stalls and shops pay a monthly fee ranging from Rs.1,000 to Rs.1,500 to the Ja-ela Urban Council. We observed that the market, which has much potential, is void of any proper facilities.
During the rainy days, the water seeps through into the shops of the first floor making it difficult for the vendors to conduct their business unhindered.
Many vendors complained that no attention had been paid by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) or other institutions though the electricity supplying system poses a danger.
Meanwhile, the consumers lamented that garbage disposal at the market is not being properly managed resulting in an unbearable stench. A monstrous garbage pile could be seen near the market, posing a health risk.
Vendors said the public lavatory facilities were deplorable and using them in an emergency was an unpleasant experience. No lavatory stall is equipped with an
operational door.
Cement on some of the walls had come loose exposing the metal beam inside of the wall.
On enquiry from Ja-ela Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Chandrapala Madurapperuma over the deplorable status of the building complex, he said what needed to be done is to replace the worn-down and collapsing building with a new one.
“I admit that this situation persisted when I came to the office. Back then, the sewerage from the lavatories even flowed onto the road but I was able to prevent that. We are planning to begin the construction of a new three-storey building.