Galle Face green or brown patch of dust?

Going to Galle Face on a Sunday evening was an outing in the good old days, well dressed people, well behaved people and the less privileged came for a stroll to this breezy patch of grass. Those days are gone for good today and we are left with a dusty, brown, sandy patch of land taken over by don’t care, rude people who use the place for their benefit: vendors making unhealthy food while another lot sell cheap plastic gadgets whereever they please.

The CMC should be the first to be blamed for turning this green area into a dusty patch of land. Looking from the breakwater wall towards the land one can see hotels overlooking the Galle Face Brown. The rates in these hotels are not cheap; one day hoteliers will be asked by their guests is this the view we are getting for our money? Monster cranes, earth moving vehicles, dust etc.….

I suggest, the hotel owners should block out this land and maintain duties to be given to the CMC at a cost with certain conditions:

(1) No walking on the grass. (2) Designated areas for walk

ing and sitting

(3) Visiting hours

(4) Consuming food and beverages near the breakwater only

(5) Collective events such as

flying kites to be restricted. (6) New trees planted which are suitable to the climate and sea breeze

Nihal Dharmatileke Dehiwela