Authorities scared of builder at Dehiwela De Alwis Place

One would surmise that the recent ‘sil redi’ case where two public officials were sentenced to three years in jail by the Colombo High Court for misappropriating Rs. 620 million of public funds would teach others in similar jobs 'something'. But again the public is reminded that many in these positions 'don't ever learn'.

This is what seems to be the case at Dehiwela, De Alwis Place. The Business Times has got yet another complaint from residents there about a building development permit approved with excess floors for a high rise than the stipulated Urban Development Authority (UDA) regulation but the UDA and the area municipal council say they cannot take any action against this builder.

The residents are perplexed as to why these authorities can’t act against the improper implementation of UDA regulations. “They say that the developer will act against them but how can people give approval to more floors than the stipulated UDA regulations is what we are wondering,” a resident told the Business Times.

She said that this developer on some days work after 6 pm sometimes 12 midnight to 4 am and the police requested residents to complain to the municipal authorities. “These authorities say to tell the UDA. UDA tells us to tell the police. We have records of this and it’s a pillar to post situation. In fact we made a complaint to the National Police Commission but no action was taken.”

The residents have also complained to the NBRO but they want residents to pay Rs. 55,000 for the vibration test (referring to excessive noise) and after that they forward a letter to the UDA Enforcement section. Nothing has happened, she said noting that the residents realised that the builder along with certain officials were buying time till the piling was done.