Sad plight of a building on the verge of sinking

The dilapidated Public Market Complex building belonging to the Wattala-mabola Urban Council which is located in the Hendala junction is on the verge of sinking.

This building had been built several years ago, after reclaiming a paddy field, so that it would last for a period of fifteen years.

However, after exceeding the expected period, another fifteen years have passed upto now. As a result, it has begun to sink on one side and some doors of the market cannot be opened due to this issue.

Although this market is known as a public market, the majority of the shops in this market are jewellery shops and meat stalls. There is only one stall available for the purchase of vegetables and one public toilet for the use of customers. They are compelled to go to the toilet in the urban council when necessary but it is not often open for the use of the people.

In addition, the large aquarium built for the beauty of this market has been abandoned. Outsiders are not in a position to identify the market because opportunities had been given to various institutes and hotels to put up their advertisement boards.

When inquired from the Chairman of the Urban Council, Mark Gunasekera about this tragic situation, he said that arrangements have been made to construct a modern five-storeyed building for the public market complex along with the branches of three state banks.

After exceeding the expected period, another fifteen years have passed upto now