CONCERNS OVER HAPHAZARD CONSTRUCTION WORK IN DEHIWALA-MT. LAVINIA

Residents of the Dehiwalamount Lavinia municipal area are living in constant fear of any possible danger due to the haphazard construction work carried out by several persons.

They pointed out that relevant authorities have ignored the threat posed by multi-storey buildings (with 12-18 storeys) on small blocks of land along narrow by-roads sans soil tests or other preliminaries. They said their continual representation and objections against buildings had fallen on the deaf ear.

Commenting on this, Dehiwala YMBA President Ranil Fernando said there was discrimination in granting approval for building plans and that he was ready with

ample evidence to support his claim.

“The present YMBA building is very old and congested. We purchased the adjacent block of land to construct a new building. However, the plan was not approved due do inadequate space. I can show multi-storey buildings on small spaces and in unsafe locations. It is in question as to how these buildings were approved.

Substandard construction work in the town has marred the outlook of the town. The flyover bridge is just another failed project. It has not reduced traffic congestion in any manner. The wastewater and stormwater drainage system has been obstructed by ill-planned development efforts. Manholes and gullies are overflowing. Excavations for construction work of private buildings have damaged underground sewers. I find that basic principles of the town and country planning are not followed by relevant authorities,” he said. Meanwhile, Chaminda Edirisuriya, a trader in Dehiwala, said public utility services in the town had declined, but the Municipal Council increased taxes thereby further burdening traders who were already facing losses.

“Dehiwala-mount Lavinia has become a squalid town today because of substandard development activities. Wastewater flow onto roads and split splash of wastewater hit pedestrians and traders running businesses by the roadside. Today, we are running at heavy losses, and the police do not allow customers to park their vehicles in front of business establishments. Although the Municipal Council increased taxes, there isn’t a public toilet in the town. The only toilet is in a dilapidated condition and padlocked,” he said.

The residents of the area requested the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry to re-plan the Dehiwala-mount Lavinia town in keeping with modern standards of town planning.

I can show multistorey buildings on small spaces and in unsafe locations. It is in question as to how these buildings were approved