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Shanties cause  problems

By Shezna Shums 

Shanty dwellers living in Pamankade are causing several problems to residents in the surrounding areas.

Weluwanarama Road, in Pamankada happens to be one road that is  congested with shanties. Speaking to The Sunday Leader, a resident of the area complained that these shanties cause damage to the environment.

"Garbage is always dumped into the canal running along Weluwanarama Road," the resident said.

"Apart from this, drugs are rampant in the area, making the place unsafe. Mosquitoes are also a menace here, owing to the large amount of garbage dumped."

When The Sunday Leader visited the location garbage was strewn into the canal and the stench emanating from the canal was unbearable. The water in the canal was black.

The houses built along the canal had only two public taps. The residents said they were given this land for temporary settlement by the present Sports Minister, Jeevan Kumaratunga in 1995.

Meanwhile, the Chief Incumbent of the Weluwanarama Temple, Ven. Pujyapaba Kudahille Pagnatilleke pointed out that there are about 1,600 houses along the road. He said the government should provide alternate lands for these people.

Meanwhile, Colombo Municipal Commissioner, Dr.Jayantha Liyanage explained that most shanties and unauthorised houses are built either on private lands or on unauthorised state land.

He said it is difficult to evict them, as according to the law they should be given alternative lands before requesting them to shift elsewhere.

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