Mahinda Rajapakse, John Seneviratne
and Athuda Seneviratne
2008 - The year of strikes
By Risidra Mendis, Arthur
Wamanan, Nirmala Kannangara and Kshanika
Argent
Trade unions have predicted
the year 2008 to be a 'year of strikes' due
to the failure of the Mahinda Rajapakse
administration to address the demands of the
trade unions and the working class for the
last 25 months since assuming office.
The trade unions also charge
that the 2008 budget has driven the masses
to launch agitation campaigns, protests and
strikes as the government has failed to
address the needs of the people, who are
currently burdened with a skyrocketing cost
of living and an arduous tax regime.
"Although President Mahinda
Rajapakse appeared as a trade union leader
before the presidential election promising
to address the problems of the working
masses, it is a pity that he is now engaged
in suppressing the trade unions," trade
union representatives said.
Championing the need for a
Workers' Charter while he was labour
minister, Rajapakse today avoids that piece
of legislation he fathered like the plague.
Against international labour
laws
According to trade union
leaders, Rajapakse has let down the trade
unions badly and has acted against the
international labour laws to suppress trade
union activities with a vengeance.
"Next year is likely to be a
year of trade union suppression as well.
Almost all trade unions were subjected to
harassment in 2007. As the trade unions are
now up in arms against government's failure
to address their grievances for the past 25
months we are ready to hold protests and
agitations followed by general strikes
islandwide to win our demands," many trade
union representatives told The Sunday
Leader.
Trade unions also accused
Labour Minister Athauda Seneviratne of not
showing any interest to safeguard the rights
of the working masses. They said that it was
the duty of a labour minister to play the
role of mediator and discuss issues with the
government whenever trade unions presented
their problems to him.
"What is the use of a deaf
and dumb labour minister if he cannot take
the side of the trade unions?. Even when the
trade unions were suppressed he never took
the side of the trade unions and instead
spoke against us. It would be better to
change the portfolio of labour given to
him and offer him the portfolio of minister
to safeguard the government, as he always
speaks on behalf of the government," the
trade unions charged.
Mass protests
The JVP affiliated National
Trade Union Centre (NTUC) sources however
told The Sunday Leader that the NTUC along
with its affiliated trade unions were
planning to hold mass protests and agitation
campaigns islandwide against the government
in 2008 for its failure to put a halt to
bribery, corruption, waste and inefficiency
within the government.
"Although the UNP and the JVP
in parliament raise their concerns over
these issues the government has so far
failed to put a halt to these illegal
activities. As a result, the NTUC would be
launching several agitation campaigns,
protests and strikes to put a halt to
bribery, corruption, waste and inefficiency
within the government, which in turn would
help bring down the cost of living
considerably," NTUC sources said.
The sources further stated
that since the government has failed to
increase the salaries of public, private and
estate sector workers, the NTUC would launch
strong trade union action by early January.
Immediate salary revision
needed
"At a time when the prices of
all essential commodities are going up the
government has failed to increase the
salaries of the 630,000 work force in the
public, private and the estate sectors. In
such a backdrop how can the people survive?"
the union sources questioned.
"Public, private and estate
sector employees need an immediate salary
revision to fight the increasing cost of
living. So plans are afoot to launch severe
trade union action in early January," the
NTUC sources said.
Meanwhile, Chairman, UNP
backed Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS)
Johnston Fernando told The Sunday Leader
that in order to provide relief to the
downtrodden masses, massive strikes would be
launched by the UNP affiliated trade unions
from February next year.
Speaking further, the UNP MP
said the JVP does not have a right to speak
on behalf of the working class as they have
clearly demonstrated that they were in
support of the government.
"At the third reading of the
budget the JVP showed the people of the
country where their support lies. They have
now proved to the people that they are only
concerned about their personal welfare and
their numbers in parliament. The 37 JVP
parliamentarians have sold their political
positions for money to the government."
Downtrodden masses
"Hence the JVP cannot talk on
behalf of the people anymore. They cannot
address the people's grievances any longer.
It is only the UNP that can address the
grievances of the downtrodden masses and
could find solutions to their problems,"
Fernando said.
According to Fernando, the
JVP's decision to abstain from voting was
only beneficial to the governing party and
to the JVP itself.
Finding fault with the three
TNA MPs who abstained from voting on
December 14, Fernando said that although
they were critical of the government for
harassing Tamils, they dashed their own
community's aspirations at the third reading
of the budget vote.
"If they were so concerned
about their community they would have voted
against the budget. What is this double
standard?" queried Fernando.
Fernando further said that
the UNP affiliated trade unions - the
Jathika Vathu Kamkaru Sangamaya, Jathika
Adyapana Sevaka Sangamaya, Jathika Sevaka
Sangamaya and the Jathika Rajya Vurththiya
Samithi Sammelanaya would launch strikes
and other trade union action from February
in order to force the government to address
the demands of the people.
"The government has said
that they could end the war by December 31
and would be able to give relief to the
workers from January 1, 2008," Fernando
said, adding that they were waiting for the
government to keep its word.
|
Power
sector engineers demand to be heard
President, Ceylon
Electricity Board (CEB) Engineers'
Union (EU), Jayawilal Meegoda says
that the government should stop
non-competitive bids for power
projects next year in order to
provide relief to the consumers.
"We are the most
powerful union in the CEB and we are
agitating for open bids to be called
for power projects instead of non
competitive bids, so that the
benefits could be passed on to the
consumers. Once open bids are called
the CEB could choose the lowest
bidder and offer the work to him.
But what happens now is completely
against our stance. What is the
reason for the government to go for
non competitive bids which is not
suitable to a country like ours?"
queried Meegoda.
Meegoda told The
Sunday Leader that as a responsible
union they would always take
decisions keeping in mind the
national interest rather than their
personal interest.
Meegoda further said
that the time has come for the
government to give the engineers the
freedom to join in the
decision-making process.
"A free hand should
be given to the engineers in the
decision making process in the CEB.
But now we do not have that
authority and only those who do not
have any knowledge of the subject
take the decisions which is
altogether unacceptable. As a result
there is frustration among the
engineers which results in brain
drain which is detrimental to the
country. Although we brought this to
the notice of the President, Dr. P.B.
Jayasundera and Lalith Weeratunga
nothing has happened so far," added
Meegoda.
Meegoda added that
the EU has opposed the proposed wind
power projects, which would result
in the same consequences as that of
thermal power projects.
According to Meegoda,
if the government continues to
ignore the EU decisions, which are
based on the national interest, they
would take trade union action.
Meanwhile, the JVP
affiliated Lanka Viduli Sevaka
Sangamaya (LVSS) told The Sunday
Leader that many strikes, protests
and pickets are on the cards for
2008.
"We are discussing
the possibility of launching a token
strike in early January as the
government has failed to keep its
promises given to us in October,"
Convener, LVSS, Ranjan Jayalal said.
According to Jayalal,
the government has repeatedly failed
to honour its promises and the trade
unions are now compelled to win
their demands through strikes.
"Next year would be a
year of strikes in the country.
Since the government has failed
miserably in addressing the trade
union demands for the past 25 months
it should expect more strikes,
agitations and protests than work in
2008. We patiently waited till our
demands were met. We had to call off
strikes temporarily on many
occasions due to various assurances
given by the government. But the
government has broken all its
pledges," Jayalal said.
He reiterated that
although the government and the
Power and Energy Minister John
Seneviratne were requesting the
trade unions to make sacrifices and
withhold their demands for some time
for the sake of the country because
of the ongoing war, Jayalal queried
as to why the hierarchy and the
higher officers too could not follow
the same procedure for the sake of
the country.
"The CEB employees
are always ready to sacrifice their
demands for a while but if the
higher officials do not want to help
the government in this process why
should we?" asked Jayalal.
However, he stressed
the point that although their trade
union members were not harassed
openly they were subjected to
harassment officially by depriving
them of promotions.
"Whenever our members
face interviews for promotions the
interview boards ask them whether
they are affiliated to such and such
a trade union and if they say
'yes' they are disqualified for
promotions," Jayalal added.
Water
Board to go dry if union demands not
met
The government has
pushed the trade unions to embark on
agitations, protests and strikes,
claimed the National Water Supply
and Drainage Board Employees' Union
(NWSDBEU). "We are strictly against
the government's move to privatise
the NWSDB in 2008. Although the
government in 2004 assured that the
country's water management would not
be privatised, the very same people
are now in the process of selling
the country's water resources to
multinational companies," charged
Secretary, NWSDBEU, Upali Ratnayake
speaking to The Sunday Leader.
According to
Ratnayake, the trade union has
demanded the implementation of
Salary Circular No: 6/2006, and for
the granting of housing and distress
loans during the whole of 2007, but
to no avail. NWSDB is an 'A' grade
institution but unlike the other 'A'
grade institutions we have been
deprived of a medical scheme for our
dependents, and housing and distress
loans. At the NWSDB only the
employee is entitled to the benefits
of the medical scheme, but in other
institutions the dependents too are
beneficiaries of the medical scheme.
But so far the government has failed
to address these issues," claimed
Ratnayake.
"As a result there
would be several strikes, and if the
government still fails to address
our grievances then a water cut
would be inevitable to win our
demands," Ratnayake asserted.
Teachers ready to teach bitter
lesson
The JVP affiliated
Ceylon Teachers' Service Union (CTSU)
has called on the government to pay
attention to the trade union demands
rather than continuing with trade
union suppression.
"2007 could be
described as the year of trade union
suppression. Several trade union
representatives were taken into
custody for engaging in trade union
action. Although the government
takes legal action against the trade
union leaders it is totally against
international labour laws. Since
many trade union struggles and
strikes are on the cards for 2008 we
have to expect more trade union
suppression in the year to come,"
noted General Secretary, CTSU,
Mahinda Jayasinghe.
According to
Jayasinghe, in the event of the
government failing to rectify their
salary anomalies before the end of
2007, they would start the new
school term with a series of trade
union action including strikes.
"As predicted by us
soon after the budget in November,
next year would be a year of
agitation, protests and strikes. To
start with the CTSU would launch a
crippling strike in government
schools at the beginning of the new
term if our demands are not met
before December 31," warned
Jayasinghe.
Budget has ignored the working class
- petroleum sector
Jathika Sevaka
Sangamaya (JSS) Petroleum
Corporation Branch says that the
year ahead would be a busy year for
the trade unions as the 2008 budget
has failed to address the demands of
the working class.
"The government has
ignored the working class in its
2008 budget and instead had
increased the perks and privileges
of the President, ministers and
other higher rankers. The UPFA
government has miserably cut down
the interest payable on Employees'
Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees'
Trust Fund (ETF) contributions from
2004. In 2002, the then UNP
government introduced an Act to pay
3% more than the prevailing bank
interest rate to the ETF and EPF
contributions. But now, although
the bank interest rate is 19% the
government pays only 10% for ETF and
EPF contributions which would be a
definite cause for our agitations in
the year ahead," Secretary, JSS
Petroleum Branch, Ananda Palitha
said.
According to Ananda,
the government has failed to rectify
the salary anomalies in most of the
government institutions and has not
allocated enough funds for distress
loans and housing loans in the 2008
budget.
"The government
meanwhile has misled the people by
claiming a payment of Rs. 2500 CoL
allowance to the public sector which
is totally incorrect. The government
will only add Rs.375 to the present
Rs.2125 CoL allowance. When the
government increases the President's
budgetary allocation by millions it
has only increased Rs. 375 for the
employees for the first six months,"
added Ananda.
Speaking further, he
stated the government's directive to
supply diesel at Rs.55 per litre to
the
--CEB for thermal
power generation has caused severe
losses to the CPC.
"The CPC increases
the price of petrol in the country
to cover up its losses incurred as a
result of the subsidy offered to the
CEB. Athough the government says the
price increases are because of the
increase in world market prices, it
is absolutely incorrect," said
Ananda.
Ananda further said
that the crash of the CPC was
inevitable during next year if Mihin
Lanka, CGR, Police, CEB and the
three armed forces do not pay their
dues without further delay
"It is the Treasury
that issues the directive to the CPC
to release fuel on credit. If the
Treasury fails to intervene at this
time of crisis the CPC would be in
serious trouble. If things go on
like this there is no other option,
but to launch stern trade union
action," added Ananda.
Health employees' irked by
suppression
Chairman, Health
Services Trade Union Alliance, Saman
Rathnapriya told The Sunday Leader
that the government instead of
looking for solutions to their
demands had tried to suppress them.
He stated that the
government in its budget did not
give solutions or respond to their
demands and had tried to suppress
the trade union through court
orders.
"All these issues
will explode together next year.
There will be massive trade union
action to win our demands, next
year," he said.
Telecom unions still prepared to
talk
Trade unions continue
to be unhappy over the government's
silence and lethargy regarding the
issues brought forward during this
year and stated that next year would
see a lot of trade union actions, as
the government had failed to address
their issues.
Chairman, Union of
Posts and Telecommunication Services
Officers, Navaratne Bandara said the
trade unions would not resort to
strike action immediately, but would
hold discussions with the government
and the authorities in order to find
a solution.
However, he stated
that the discussions had yielded
nothing this year and the employees
continue to face issues related to
their salaries.
He also stated that
the government had tried to
suppress trade union activities
through legal means, which the
unions had tackled successfully.
"The government
cannot suppress the trade unions. On
November 27 we had a strike, which
was over within 24 hours because the
government realised that it could do
nothing. However, the government
has continued to be silent on
several issues we had raised during
this year. The next year is most
likely to be a year of massive trade
union action due to the negligence
of the government in meeting our
demands," he said.
Transport sector warns of travel
chaos
Three wheeler drivers
have planned to hold a strike next
year if the government does not
address their grievances.
According to the
Trishaw Drivers' Association they
have been facing many problems such
as the government's decision to ban
two stroke trishaws from January
2008, the failure to give three
wheeler drivers a fuel subsidy and
the unreasonable fines imposed by
the traffic police. These are only a
few of the grievances of trishaw
drivers.
President, All Island
Three Wheeler Drivers' Association (AITWDA),
Lalith Dharmasekara said that
although the government has assured
to give a fuel subsidy from the 2008
budget nothing seems to be
happening.
"The government
assured us a fuel subsidy for
trishaws in the 2008 budget. But for
the last few years the government
has failed miserably to provide
concessions to trishaw drivers
although trishaws are used by many
people and is considered an
essential service. We will see
whether the government would address
our problems next year. If it does
not happen we will consider a major
strike in order to show the
government how important this
service is," Dharmasekara said.
Meanwhile, the
private bus operators are planning
to launch a strike by end January
2008 if the government does not
address their needs.
Speaking to The
Sunday Leader, President, Private
Bus Owners' Association (PBOA)
Gemunu Wijeratne said time table
issues, permit issues, bribes paid
to time keepers, the lack of a fuel
subsidy and the rising cost of tyres
and spare parts for buses is yet to
be resolved by the government.
"There is no
development by the Transport
Authority with regard to the
transport sector in the country.
Officials from the Transport
Authority are not interested in
developing the transport sector for
the benefit of the public. We have
discussed this issue with Transport
Minister Dulles Alahapperuma and he
has agreed to a private-public
partnership between the PBOA and the
government. But the Ministry is yet
to act on this," Wijeratne said.
The All Ceylon
Private Omnibus Owners' Federation (ACPOOF)
Co Chairman Anjana Priyanjith said
their decision to strike will depend
on the government's decisions. "We
have to wait till next year and see
if the government will address our
grievances. If we are not satisfied
with the government's decisions we
will consider a strike," Priyanjith
said.
Railway workers say many strikes
planned
Secretary, All Ceylon
Railway Employees General Union,
Sumathipala Manawadu said his union
plans to strike in 2008 as the
government has failed to meet their
demands.
"We haven't set a
date for our strikes yet as we are
still discussing the issues that we
face with our members. But we plan
to have many strikes in 2008. We
have on many occasions asked the
government to look into issues such
as a salary increment for our
workers and the rising cost of
living. People cannot live due to
the high prices of essential items
such as milk powder, rice, flour and
coconut. However we have realised
that the government is not
interested in solving our issues,"
Manawadu said.
He added that in the
past their workers had succeeded in
solving their issues through the
strikes they held. "It doesn't
matter to us what government is in
power. We only want a solution to
the problems faced by our workers.
People should fight for their rights
and stage strikes to get what they
want. The situation in the country
is such that you have to demand what
you want from the government in
order to get it," Manawadu
explained.
He went on to say
that the government has now realised
that the only way to stop trade
unions from striking is to use
police force and take the strikers
to court.
"We are not afraid of
striking. We will continue to strike
until the government finds solutions
to our problems. The strikes in 2008
will be different to the strikes we
have held this year. We will show
the government this time that our
strikes need to be taken seriously,"
Manawadu said. |
Playing pandu with Galle's heritage
|
Debris piled at the stadium post
tsunami 2004
and (inset) Dinesh Gunawardena |
By Dilrukshi Handunnetti
Newly built pavilions of the
Galle International Cricket Stadium will be
demolished shortly, now that the third and
final test cricket match between Sri Lanka
and England has concluded - to honour state
obligations as a signatory to the World
Heritage Convention and the Antiquities
Ordinance.
The undertaking was given by
Urban Development Minister, Dinesh
Gunewardena to the UNESCO mission in Colombo
with the illegal construction of three
pavilions at the venue in violation of the
Antiquities Ordinance and the World Heritage
Convention drawing much ire. With complaints
being lodged with the World Heritage Centre
in Paris, Sri Lanka feared a possible
delisting due to non-compliance, a disgrace
for the country before the international
community.
Further, ICOMOS Sri Lanka
together with the Department of Archaeology
too have been mounting pressure that cricket
authorities should not violate the
Antiquities Ordinance and recommended
corrective steps.
A fortnight ago, Minister
Gunewardena who was brought under serious
pressure by the many concerned parties to
correct the wrong and save face as the
island stands to be disgraced, submitteda
cabinet paper seeking approval to carry out
demolition work and to suspend the building
permit issued by the Galle Municipal Council
(GMC) authorising the constructions.
"The Galle MC has abused the
powers delegated. The obligations have been
ignored," Minister Gunawardena said.
In violation of the law
As the plot thickens, there
is an inquiry underway against the GMC over
the issuance of a permit in stark violation
of the law while cricket authorities palm
off responsibility to the GMC for permitting
construction.
However, according to a
strongly worded letter to President Mahinda
Rajapakse by ICOMOS President,
Architect/Archeologist, Prashantha Mandawala
on October 24, 2007 there are some 10 wrongs
committed by various parties in permitting
construction. (See box)
The letter states that Sri
Lanka Cricket (SLC) has failed to obtain
approval from the Department of Archaeology
as required under Section 24 of the
Antiquities Ordinance'which supersedes all
other domestic laws'in application thereby
committing an offence.
It adds:"Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)
officials have disgraced Your Excellency's
image by publicly stating that the unlawful,
unethical and unauthorised construction that
have been effected at the site are in
accordance with the instructions given by
Your Excellency."
Initially, the UDA
recommended makeshift buildings in the run
up to the test cricket match, as is the norm
followed in other countries without putting
up permanent structures. Nevertheless, Sri
Lanka Cricket (SLC) has put up permanent
structures at the cost of Rs. 50 million
with the Galle MC's blessings - all
earmarked for dismantling now.
Claims of non-violation
Adding to the controversy,
the Southern Province Cricket Association (SPCA)
claims non-violation of any rules and
laments the loss of structures and
investment.
Claims Jayananda Warnaweera
"It was built as per the municipal permit.
Three pavilions cost some Rs. 50 million and
it took three months to construct them. They
did not metamorphosis suddenly. We have not
been officially informed of a decision to
dismantle the pavilions."
The UDA officials are now
poised to dismantle three pavilions as they
fall within 500 m of the buffer zone of the
World Heritage Site. The constructions were
based on a conditional building permit
issued by the Galle MC on an application
submitted by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
However, Paris was alerted on
the constructions on September 24, 2007 by
President, ICOMOS, Architect/Archaeologist,
Prashantha B. Mandawala who lodged his
strong protests against the construction
work of the Galle International Cricket
Stadium to Director, World Heritage Centre,
Francesco Bandarin citing the violation of
regulations and agreements thereby putting
the site's status in danger.
On the same day, Mandawala
wrote to President Mahinda Rajapakse, a copy
of which was sent to Bandarin in Paris where
he listed out a few decisions made in a bid
to protect the buffer zone of the World
Heritage Site and to prevent the violation
of the Antiquities Ordinance.
Recommended for demolition
The letter said that all
plans should officially be submitted to the
Department of Archaeology, Galle Heritage
Foundation and the UNESCO National
Commission for preliminary planning prior to
submitting the same to Galle MC.
'The buildings belong to the
GMC and the existing single story is
recommended for demolition. Further, the
existing indoor nets should be kept as there
is a controversy surrounding it.'
Importantly, Mandawala adds that all stands
should be temporarily built only for each
match played and all earth tiers should be
removed to obtain a better view of the Galle
Fort from the main road.
"The present construction at
the site has violated all these agreements
putting the site in great danger of being
delisted. I would like to add that the Dutch
built Galle Fort became world famous not
because the fort is shown on television
during cricket matches but due to its status
as a World Heritage Site amongst 644
cultural properties in the world. There are
only about 20 countries playing cricket
while 138 countries are signatories to the
World Heritage Convention," Mandawala has
noted in his letter.
The old town of Galle and its
fortifications were declared part of the
World Heritage Sites in 1988 under Article 1
of the Convention Concerning the Protection
of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage
adopted in 1972.
'Cultural heritage'
Accordingly, monuments,
groups of buildings and related sites are
considered 'cultural heritage'due to their
outstanding universal value. The Dutch built
Galle Fort site includes monuments, groups
of buildings and the site itself.
The exact site is described
by Prof. Ashley de Vos in his concept
proposal for the Rehabilitation Of The
Tsunami Devastated City Of Galle Through
Human Resource Development as,"Galle Fort is
located in southern Sri Lanka, 120 km from
Colombo. It is a unique monument and remains
the best-preserved example of a fortified
colonial town in South Asia. In 1986, the
fortified port town of Galle, 90 acres in
extent, with massive rampart walls, ten
bastions with pepper pot sentry points and
648 buildings, all laid out within its
walls, was nominated to the World Heritage
list."
But the development of the
site by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has proved
contentious since day one.
On July20, 2006, in his
capacity as Director General, Galle City
Development Plan Project, Prof. Ashley de
Vos officially lodged his protest with
Director General, UNESCO World Heritage
Centre, Dr. Francesco Bandarin claiming that
the tsunami devastated cricket stadium was
being reconstructed in violation of the
UNESCO guidelines and domestic laws.
Regional sports complex
He proposed a master plan for
the redevelopment of Galle that identified
an alternate location, 700 hectares in
extent and in close proximity to the
proposed Colombo-Matara Highway which would
include a regional sports complex. The said
complex will include stadia for cricket,
football, athletics, swimming, indoor sports
etc.
De Vos wrote to President
Mahinda Rajapakse on May 25, 2006 informing
that there was no provision for the
construction of a building within 400 yards
of an archaeological monument.
He also spelt out details of
the plans to put up a regional sports
complex that would include a cricket
stadium, a viable alternative that should be
considered by the sports authorities
facilitating efforts to conserve heritage.
Interestingly enough,
Director General, Dr. Senerath Dissanayake
also wrote to then Chairman, Board of
Control for Sri Lanka Cricket, Jayantha
Dharmadasa quoting provisions of the
Archaeological Ordinance violated by the
Board and urging corrective measures to be
taken in this regard.
Construction authorised
But all the protests went
nowhere, and giving an interesting political
twist to the tale, Presidential Coordinating
Secretary, Sajin Vass Gunawardena promptly
wrote back to Dharmadasa informing that'He
is directed by the President's Secretary to
inform you that reconstruction work of the
Galle International Cricket Stadium is
authorised as envisaged in your letter of
request.'
Further, Vass Gunawardena has
requested Dharmadasa to submit a work
programme providing all relevant details for
the information of the Presidential
Secretary.
On May 31, 2006 an assistant
secretary of the presidential secretary,
Harsha Wijewardena wrote to Dharmadasa
informing that the President would in due
course give a date for the foundation stone
laying ceremony of the main pavilion at the
Galle International Cricket Stadium.
On March 20, 2006, stating a
few home truths, President, ICOMOS Sri
Lanka, Prashantha B. Mandawala wrote to
Director General, UDA wherein he
stated,"UNESCO has declared the Old Town of
Galle and its fortifications as a World
Heritage Site on December 9, 1988. As such
it is the duty of the government of Sri
Lanka not to take any steps to deteriorate
any values of the site and its surroundings,
which would affect the values of the site
that were prevailing at the time of
inception. Therefore, developing the Galle
Cricket Stadium to the international level
will be out of the question as it is located
within the buffer zone of the World Heritage
Site."
Strong protest
He added that the only
possibility of developing the said cricket
stadium was the renovation of the premises
due to the tsunami's devastating impact and
possibly minimum development due to the
extensive damage caused to the structures.
Mandawala lodged his strong
protest on the same day in writing with the
UDA regarding the general destruction caused
to the fabric and environment of the Galle
Fort, warning that it is on the verge of
increase, which might lead to the delisting
of the Old Town, and its fortifications from
the World Heritage List.
After a year of passing the
buck, violating regulations and state party
obligations, now the very same UDA is called
upon to dismantle the unauthorised
constructions at great cost before Sri Lanka
becomes severely embarrassed before the
international community that already takes a
rather dim view of the island.
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Presidential approval is there -
Warnaweera
Manager, Galle
International Cricket Stadium,
Jayananda Warnaweera said that they
have received written permission
from President Mahinda Rajapakse to
go head with construction. "We did
not seek permission from anybody as
the Head of State has granted
approval and was for its
development,"he said.
Only
renovations - Sri Lanka Cricket
Chairman, National
Development Centre (NDC) of Sri
Lanka Cricket (SLC), Priyantha
Algama admitted that the renovation
process of the Galle International
Cricket Stadium was done but denied
that any expansion work was done.
'We only
renovated,'he said and added that
Presidential approval had been
obtained for the purpose. 'The
President himself has approved the
project.' 'Only the existing
buildings such as the pavilion and
the media centre of the stadium were
upgraded,' he said.
List
of violations
1. Plans
conditionally approved by the GMC
have violated agreements with UNESCO
and the Galle Heritage Foundation.
2.
Contractors have violated the
conditional approval given by the
GMC.
3. Sri Lanka
Cricket has failed to obtain
approval from the Department of
Archaeology thus committing a
serious offence.
4. SLC has
not obtained required approval from
the Galle Heritage Foundation.
5. SLC has
not obtained approval from Sri Lanka
National Commission of UNESCO.
6. SLC has
violated the Antiquities Amendment
Act No. 24 of 1998 by not requesting
for an Archaeological Impact
Assessment (AIA).
7. SLC does
not have any authority to commence
construction as they have not met
conditions of the approval given by
GMC.
8. SLC lacked
authority to commence construction
due to not meeting conditions of
approval given by the GMC.
9. SLC, the
architects and the contractor
violated agreements reached during
the committee meeting appointed by
President Mahinda Rajapakse by
constructing buildings without
leaving the agreed corridor of 120 m
between the proposed media building
and the cricket club building.
10. SLC has
violated the lease agreement with
GMC by not submitting proposed
developments to the cricket grounds.
As such, all constructions that have
been completed by SLC are illegal.
Demolition on - UDA
Top UDA officials
told The Sunday Leader that it had
been finally decided to demolish all
constructions built in violation of
the domestic law, the Heritage
Convention, under which the area is
declared as part of the Galle
Heritage City.
Laws
and obligations violated - ICOMOS
President, ICOMOS Sri
Lanka, Architect and Archeologist,
Prashantha Mandawala told The Sunday
Leader that provisions of the
Antiquities Ordinance and World
Heritage Convention have been
severely breached by Sri Lanka
Cricket (SLC) due to unauthorised
constructions.
The stadium is
situated within the buffer zone of
the Galle Heritage Site and Paris
approval is necessary to alter such.
This is why we have requested for
their demolition and now that the
test match is over, the illegally
constructed pavilions will be
dismantled.
Clear instructions
were issued not to put up permanent
structures. Press box was to be a
make shift one. The indoor nets are
also unauthorised, he said.
Mandawala added that
while archaeological concerns should
not hinder development, development
should not take away the universal
value of a place.'Both aspects must
be ensured,'he insisted.
He said that
President Rajapakse himself has
informed that a clear view of the
ramparts should be there but the
view too had been obstructed.
SLC has violated
almost every condition without any
concurrence from the Galle Heritage
Foundation. This is only one out of
644 world sites and 138 countries
are signatories to the World
Heritage Convention unlike cricket
that is played by less than 20
nations. Furthermore, if the site's
value is diminished, UNESCO will
list it as a threatened site and
even delist it which will be a
disgrace. It happened only once in
1980,'Mandawala said.
Permission not obtained - Heritage
Foundation
Chairman, Galle
Heritage Foundation, JVP
Parliamentarian Ajith Kumara told
The Sunday Leader that special
permission should be obtained from a
sub committee in the Urban
Development Authority (UDA) to
undertake any constructions within
the Galle Fort.
"Every plan should go
through that sub committee. This is
even necessary to change the
structure of an existing building as
well,"he said.
Galle Heritage
Foundation is a consolidated body of
the UDA, Galle Urban Council,
Archeological Department, Central
Cultural Fund (CCF), Government of
Netherlands and a few other
institutes working towards
conserving the city's heritage.
Ajith Kumara
complained that the Galle
International Cricket Stadium was
reconstructed post tsunami without
the required approvals. |
