NEDIMALA CANAL NOW TURNED INTO AN EYESORE

“We are traditional villagers in the area and we have heard from our elders that the canal had been used for transport of goods during the time of Sinhala kings and the Dutch period. However, it is today not more than a waste water drain”

The waste water canal flowing from Kalubowila through Nedimala has turned into an eyesore due to the unauthorised constructions and dumping of garbage that obstructed the free flow of water. Residents of the area said they were facing a series of environmental issues and a health hazard and that several individuals died of Dengue fever.

They pointed out that the canal reservation had been encroached for building purposes, obstructing the access of machinery and equipment to clean the canal.

A resident of the area T.M. Tikiri Banda (59) said the canal was silted and that it resulted in overflow of waste water during heavy rain. He said a vast stretch of the canal was now covered with rank vegetation due to neglect of maintenance.

“We are traditional villagers in the area and we have heard from our elders that the canal had been used for transport of goods during the time of Sinhala kings and the Dutch period. However, it is today not more than a waste water drain. The canal which had been more than 8ft wide has now been reduced to one foot at several locations, due to the unauthorized erections. The people living in unauthorized shanties use the canal as a garbage dumping ground. This haphazard disposal of garbage has created a serious threat to public health. Environmental Police had taken legal action against several individuals,” he said.

A resident of Nedimala Francis Hattotuwa (45) said the clearing of the canal reservation for cultivation purposes had caused soil erosion that resulted in silting of the canal, and that the authorities were inactive about the unauthorised erections on the canal reservation. He stressed the need to demolish the unauthorised erections and to clean the canal.