It is reported that the Colombo Municipal Council has decided to implement a program to remove existing houses and constructions blocking the canals in the city of Colombo.
Attending a press conference held today (18) Colombo Municipal Council, Director Engineer, R. it. T. P. Mr. Ranawaka said that this decision was taken due to the flooding of Colombo city due to the recent heavy rains.
He has also said that in consultation with the Urban Development Authority, arrangements have been made to evacuate the people who have built houses near such canals so that the people living in the respective houses are not inconvenienced.
Mr. Ranawaka said that such a situation has been seen in many places such as Mattakkuliya, Jetawanaya etc. Mr. Ranawaka said that a part that needs to be removed very soon has been identified and related work will be done next week.
He said that by taking the details of the people in those houses, they have expressed their interest to the Urban Development Authority to get houses in another place.
“The water coming from the sky comes along the roads and we have a drainage system that flows along them and falls into the canals, and from the canals it goes to the sea. We have identified 22 locations. We are answering them with several plans. The problem is the obstructions in the canals when the flood recedes. There are houses built in such a way that it is difficult to clean the canals. We are working to remove this amount of houses completely and make this water transportation regular. As we move forward, we will give houses to the evacuees and work on a systematic plan. So far the money problem has affected. Although it is said that the water is blocked in Colombo city, due to the heavy rainfall, there is a problem of water flow at the same time. In the past, there were lands to absorb water. There are no such lands now. Therefore, the rain water flows rapidly along the roads. That water should be moved towards the sea quickly. We are currently preparing a big canal for this.”
