“Condominium construction on Raymond Road”

As concerned public interest citizens, we are writing on a matter of great importance which if not controlled immediately, could lead to grave consequences. We have been made aware that apartments are going to be built at No 10, Raymond Road, Nugegoda. The residents of this road have suffered immensely due to the corruption and negligence of authorities to grant approval previously to set up a private international school (by a politician currently holding a portfolio in the education sector), in a purely residential area.

In addition, business establishments have been set up in residential houses down this road. This has caused immense traffic congestion due to school and business traffic and people have no space to walk on the road. Garbage trucks are unable to collect garbage as vehicles are parked on the road to pick up school children. An emergency ambulance or fire engine cannot enter the road during peak hours as many drivers park their vehicles on the road and go.

We cannot understand why the sovereign rights of citizens are violated and voice of the people are not listened to by our politicians who seem to only look after the interest of their cronies in the business sector.

We strongly believe that these approvals have been established without proper quantification of the traffic flow, utility and other requirements of citizens. Citizens will have to pay for additional fuel expenses, loss of privacy, noise, structural damage to their properties, time wastage in traffic jams causing lost opportunities in earning additional income, diseases in chest and lungs due to pollution resulting in higher medical charges, etc.

We have seen the fires in London, Dubai and Singapore in apartments resulting in loss of life and property. This should be a good example to government and buyers of apartments. Can our fire brigades go into small roads such as Raymond Road and douse fires in apartments. It is definitely “No” especially in the Dehiwela Mount Lavinia Municipality area.

Apartment construction should be banned in residential areas. They should be constructed only in areas with large land mass available (like Havelock City) or outside Colombo in non-urbanised areas where open large extent of lands are available.

Over to you, Honourable Minister Champika Ranawaka for immediate action to halt this construction. Residents of Raymond Road,

Nugegoda.