Who is responsible for this debacle?

Opened last year,450 sq.ft flats costing 8 mn each are falling apart

Several occupants at the housing scheme complained of cracks in walls, broken lifts and crumbling wall plaster last week

Urban Development Authority (UDA) officials said yesterday that there was no structural damage at the Methsara Uyana housing scheme in Wanathamulla despite several complaints.

UDA Director General Nayana Mavilmada said the building had been inspected by the relevant authorities who confirmed there was no structural damage and that the building was safe. “We will look into any maintenance issues and resolve them soon,” he said.

Several occupants at the housing scheme complained of cracks in walls, broken lifts and crumbling wall plaster last week.

The 11- storey apartment complex comprising 718 apartments was constructed by the UDA for the relocation of low-income families. The housing scheme was declared open by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in October, 2014.

Each unit with a floor space of 450 square feet was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.8 million and has two bedrooms, a living room, a balcony and modern sanitary facilities.

Residents said that although they made representations to officials at the UDA office located within Methsara Uyana regarding the cracks and the poor condition of windows and doors, the issue was only resolved temporarily.