Rates increased by 125 percent for 2019

Rates applicable for residents in Battaramulla have increased by 125 percent for the year 2019, Kaduwela Chairman Buddika Jayawilal said.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Jayawilal said the Pradeshiya Sabha had been pulled up by the central government as they had charged rates based on the 2001 valuation of the municipality area rather than the more recent 2011 report.

The Chairman went on to say the recent upgrade as a municipal council and the change in representatives had resulted in officials not following through with the relevant reports applicable for rates.

“We are a relatively new municipal council and we were not aware of this. We are taking measures to rectify this,” he said.

The new rates will be applicable for the Battaramulla Division under the first phase with other divisions, Kaduwela and Athurugiriya, following through in time. The use of the 2001 valuation rather than the 2011 valuation has caused the municipality a whopping Rs.5.4 million from the Battaramulla area alone,

“The government has directed that we charge rates in accordance with the 2011 valuation report and we will do so in time,” Jayawilal said.