LAUNDRYWATTA residents feel betrayed by Govt.

Residents of Laundrywatta, Perehara Mawatha were shifted to Nawam Mawatha after the old laundry was demolished earlier this week.

Speaking to Daily Mirror, residents stated that they were happy with the new venue and the facilities, as they were better than the houses they had in Perahara Mawatha.

Dinusha, a resident said “We are happy with our new homes. They are more spacious than our previous ones. Even the sanitary facilities are better. There is nothing to complain about. But this has not ended our problems. We do not have any title deeds for the newlybuilt premises. An injustice has occurred in the dividing of houses among the residents,” she said.

“When we lived in Perahara Mawatha there were around thirty houses. Now at the new premises the UDA has built forty houses. In fact, if they had built thirty houses it would have been enough,” she said.

The residents complained that the government had not followed a proper method in selecting the tenants when distributing houses. Some houses had been given to residents who used to live in Perahera Mawatha but did not engage in the laundry profession.

“We live on rent here. Although we have been in this profession for a long time, descendants of families who used to be laundrymen in ancient times claim ownership. They do not engage in this profession any longer." the residents said.

They also said “From what we know the owners of the houses have to pay Rs. 50,000 to the government for sanitary facilities and electricity and an additional monthly payment of Rs. 5000 to the government, as this is considered as a business establishment. We live on rent here so we have to pay Rs. 500 plus Rs. 1500. We will also have to pay electricity bills. Life is getting harder day by the day,” he said.

It was stated that they would be given

a concession, but it was not clearly stated. The residents claimed that they did not have any document to claim ownership. They complained they were deprived of many other rights and comforts which other citizens of the country had.

“We do not even have proper voting rights. There are some people who have never voted in all their lives. Some have registered under their relative’s homes. Schooling for children has become a major problem. When they go to school they do not have recognition. It is unfortunate that nobody recognises the social service we do. We are dedicated to this profession which is gifted to us from our ancestors,” said Laundrywatta residents.