RESIDENTS UNHAPPY ABOUT CARELESS ATTITUDE OF HEALTH AUTHORITIES

ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH HAZARDS IN PANADURA AREA

Residents of the Panadura area expressed concern about the failure of the health authorities to focus attention on abandoned land covered with shrub jungle, side drains on roads and public places, including bus stands.

They said that land sold by property sales companies for housing had been left to be taken over by shrub jungle by the owners, expecting to sell them with heavy profits when the land value increased. Residents of the area pointed out that most of the abandoned land was being used as dumping grounds by the people, regardless of its health hazard.

Residents said that the dilapidated buildings, broken down storm water drains, unauthorized stalls and garbage dumps are leaving room for Dengue mosquito breeding grounds. They pointed out that haphazard disposal of garbage by unauthorized traders was going on unchecked along Station Road and Janapriya Mawatha . The buildings in the main bus stand are in a dilapidated and unhygienic condition.

The market area has turned into an eye sore in the town with dilapidated buildings, side drains filled with stagnant water, and garbage disposed by vegetable and fish stalls.

Residents of the area requested the authorities to focus attention on abandoned land and the insanitary public places in Panadura area during the ongoing Dengue prevention crash programme, that are the worst Dengue mosquito breeding grounds, just as they take action against the owners of private premises.