Illegal structures along Mirissa beach: Prez orders immediate removal

4 May 2018 10:21 pm - 56 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Maithripala Sirisena today ordered the Coast Conservation Department (CCD) to remove 18 unauthorized structures along the Mirissa beach.

CCD Director General B.K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi told the Daily Mirror that the illegal constructions would be removed immediately.

In the wake of some Dutch tourists including women being harassed and assaulted on April 8, the CCD identified 18 unauthorized constructions along the Mirissa beach, and they were scheduled to be removed by May 1.

However, the CCD had backtracked the removal of these illegal constructions apparently due to the influence of two powerful ministers.

However, Mr. Chandrakeerthi had met the President who is also the the Minister of Mahaweli Development & Environment and explained the wrongdoings in these illegal constructions and requested the President to intervene in the matter.

Mr. Chandrakeerthi had allegedly received threats from Wasantha Perera, commonly known as Karaoke Wasantha, when demolishing an illegal hotel owned by him in the Unawatuna Beach recently.

Meanwhile, law enforcement authorities are to deploy special units before demolishing the illegal constructions, to prevent any sabotage or protests by the Mirissa hoteliers. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)

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Comments - 56

Latha Friday, 04 May 2018 10:28 PM

What’s the matter with this president of ours... can’t he make a proper decision in one shot.... he always changes his decision never realised that he is this weak. Every one is talking about faizer the party pooper .. he is a minister just to have a good time and our president get taken for a ride. Well now, the unauthorised structures will be removed... thank god

Mahila Friday, 04 May 2018 10:37 PM

There is only one sensible person who decides and runs this splendid island.

Dee Friday, 04 May 2018 10:45 PM

Yes! Don't give into these low breed buffaloes from the south.

Mr Bombastic Friday, 04 May 2018 11:07 PM

one good thing among a myriad of faults.

Zeena Friday, 04 May 2018 11:21 PM

Mr.President better late than never. We need a president who does right by the law and not swayed by arguments put forward by dishonest politicians. Always consult the relevant authority and not the jokers around you.

concern Friday, 04 May 2018 11:21 PM

The orders are given but will it be carried out ??

Tax Payer Friday, 04 May 2018 11:38 PM

Hoping against hope that these illegal structures are demolished.

southpaw Friday, 04 May 2018 11:54 PM

Thank you Mr President for upholding the rule of law despite the efforts of some political buffoons to protect their cronies . Please take steps to authorize the removal off all illegal structures in the country.

H.G.Gunasekera Saturday, 05 May 2018 12:25 AM

We salute you Mr.President

GC Saturday, 05 May 2018 01:06 AM

Very good Mr President. This is how dedicated public servants should be supported and encouraged. I wish that a similar action was taken about the Director of Wildlife sometime back. Hopefully, the Field Marshal try to get that person back.

CEDRIC Saturday, 05 May 2018 01:40 AM

WHY ONLY MIRISSA BEACH ? MOUNT LAVINIA BEACHHAS MANY ILLEGAL DENS ON BEACH SAME AS MIRISSAIN FACT ALL ALONG THE SOUTHERN COAST THERE ARE ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTIONS DOING DRUG,PROSTITUTION ( SOME FOREIGN WOMEN NEED MONEY ,SO THESE BEACH DENS ACT AS THERE PIMP JOINTS,THAT WHY MINISTERS GO THERE TO FIND THIS TYPE OF FOREIGN PROSTITUTE TOURIST WOMEN )

Manik Saturday, 05 May 2018 02:43 AM

Well done Mr. President.

RP Saturday, 05 May 2018 02:58 AM

Great job Mr. Chandrakeerthi!You approached the right person to continue with your tasks.Sorry Min. Mustapha, next time..........

gd Saturday, 05 May 2018 03:58 AM

We finally seem to be getting somewhere. Well done!

Ajith Saturday, 05 May 2018 04:18 AM

Appreciate your effort Prabath Chandrakeerthi but wait till job done to congratulate.

Narendra Gunatillake Saturday, 05 May 2018 04:22 AM

Very courageous decision May be not very popular but if the buildings are illegally constructed they must be demolished. Thank you Mr. President

NA Saturday, 05 May 2018 04:36 AM

At least its a start. Better late than never.

Refaideen Saturday, 05 May 2018 06:11 AM

If president has to intervene in everything then the government institutions are ineffective with the big payroll.

Silva Saturday, 05 May 2018 06:20 AM

Thank you Sir.

Reader Saturday, 05 May 2018 06:42 AM

Very good decision by the President. Let not the politicians interfere with law.

malij Saturday, 05 May 2018 06:49 AM

Hats off to Mr. Chandrakeerthi. It is indeed some fresh air in our politically polluted atmosphere in Sri Lanka. Hope department of Police would not soft peddle this. Dismantle all the unauthorized structures which mostly are dens of corruption and put that sob Wasantha behind bars.

Cobra Saturday, 05 May 2018 07:13 AM

And the removal of whoever gave orders to the contrary!!!

Dam Saturday, 05 May 2018 07:16 AM

Can someone say whether this so called Sri Lanka's President really knows what he is doing?One time said don't remove.

malij Saturday, 05 May 2018 07:18 AM

The president, who is also the minister of environmental affairs was silent when the demolishing was halted due to political pressure. It is good at least now he had intervened. But it is obvious that things have not changed much from the days of the previous regime. Is Yahapalanaya a big joke?

malij Saturday, 05 May 2018 07:25 AM

We all know that political pressure from two powerful ministers halted the demolishing. One is Mustapha, but who is the other one? If someone can enlighten the public exposing such politicians, it would be a great service on behalf of our motherland.

Unchikun Saturday, 05 May 2018 07:36 AM

Thank You Sir. These people down south need to be taught a lesson. Take quick action and not political milage.

Jaliya Saturday, 05 May 2018 07:57 AM

President is being put in a pressure cooker ... he is feeling the pressure from all directions ... his chief of staff is in remand for bribery charges .. his legal adviser is supporting illegal construction/activities and interfere with CCD to carry out his personnel agenda .. Karaoke Wasantha is threatening the director of CCD …… those who called police experts cannot identify the murder suspects from the CCTV footage ... his political party is in danger of depletion .. STC chairman is pretending dumb I don’t hear I don’t speak to FCID.. the golden peacock has flown away without a trace … and the entire country is in distress …. Is this customary or result of good governance ??

Palugaswewa Saturday, 05 May 2018 08:03 AM

At last, we see some courage. We hope that he instructs the police to bring those two so-called powerful ministers and Karaoke Wasantha to book.

Martin Milton Saturday, 05 May 2018 08:38 AM

VERY well done Mr President! Now THIS is the prompt and courageous manner you need to act. Please show the people how courageous you are and never be frightened to take any step towards maintaining honesty, and righteousness. regardless of who is involved. These illegal constructions need to be destroyed promptly and let these illicit owners and thugs involved feel the power of legal action and imprisonment immediately if they impede the power of the CCD. Minister Mustapha also needs to be openly severely reprimanded and warned for having partisan views and promoting such illegal constructions favouring his cohorts. MM

Thomas Saturday, 05 May 2018 09:08 AM

Mr.Chandrakeerthi must be congratulated for his brave stand on the Mirissa unauthorized restaurants

Prof. M.P.T. Ariyawansa Saturday, 05 May 2018 09:16 AM

Before removing the illegal structures of Mirissa beach, Mr. President, please remove the culprit of Bond Scam Ravi from the Cabinet.

Jude Perera Saturday, 05 May 2018 09:19 AM

Prez. the country is sinking, cost of living is going up but your strength of your Ministers and Deputy Ministers, State Ministers etc., are increasing. Did the masses made you the President of SriLanka to increase the strength of the Parliament and suck our blood or to develop our country.

dulan Saturday, 05 May 2018 09:19 AM

They will not be removed , no one takes what President says seriously .

Useless Saturday, 05 May 2018 09:35 AM

you and your government done nothing for the people of this country . Now the cost of living is going high day by day

Amal Saturday, 05 May 2018 10:16 AM

What about your ministers illegal properties? Dont change your decision again and again. Word is word

Sakalabujankotakalisan Saturday, 05 May 2018 10:23 AM

Yes, must respect and follow the law and order .

Sunil Saturday, 05 May 2018 10:41 AM

This is an excellent move the HE the President. But,why should the President involve himself in all these matters? It is because the other ministers and state officials are not performing well in their duties.

ND Saturday, 05 May 2018 10:50 AM

There we go again! Demolition stopped due to the orders of two powerful politicians!! Truly, politicians are the cause of ruination in this country. Remove them all and SL will be a peaceful country!

Gamarala Saturday, 05 May 2018 11:03 AM

Kudos to the President. There seems to be no law and order in these areas any longer. Were the culprits who harassed and abused the Dutch tourists arrrested? They should be made a lesson of, to all the other establishments and people who hang out on the beaches.

Arthur Saturday, 05 May 2018 11:21 AM

A good decision from MS at last. Ensure that it is not changed through pressure groups.

Ceylon Saturday, 05 May 2018 11:28 AM

Whats wrong suddenly?.sirisena dont order to stop kudu trade but order to demolish poor sellers huts and Make them jobless.are these sellers didnt pay under the table or paid but not enough??.

Nalin Saturday, 05 May 2018 11:45 AM

Thankfully the President has come to his proper senses at least in this matter.

Kumara Dharmarathne Saturday, 05 May 2018 12:19 PM

Sir,what is happening in the unity government? When CCD wanted to remove the structures,one of your powerful minister opposed it and then CCD stopped the removal and now you are giving orders for the removal. It's like a muppet show,some one is pulling the string and the picture dances accordingly. Firstly,Sir you should realize that no one can satisfy everybody at the same time. Secondly,a president should not listen to his advisers,every Tom,Dick and Harry,if you do this you will never be able to do a thing correctly.Then it will be like a soup which spoiled by too many cooks.

city Saturday, 05 May 2018 04:54 PM

Mr. Kumar D well said,but the president is striving to hold the position other than making decisions

Justica USA Saturday, 05 May 2018 08:49 PM

Faiszer has to eat his words..He went out of track , on a subject not within his portfolio as a minister..LMAO...Good on the President for making certain decisions

TONY Saturday, 05 May 2018 12:26 PM

ARENT THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES SUPPOSED TO CARRY OUT INSPECTION AND ACT ACCORDING TO LAW. ITS TOO LATE MR PRESIDENT. PULL UP YOUR GOVT OFFICERS

Sathya Saturday, 05 May 2018 03:16 PM

Dear President,Please take strong Decisions, Never forget that You are President; We expected a lot form you.

parakum Saturday, 05 May 2018 04:06 PM

Most of the illegal structures came up after 1956 (Ape' Anduwa). Coastal beaches used to be pristine, Canal embankments use to be clear of structure, Railway embankments used to be clear of MUDUKKU. It was the Third Grade politicians that Power crazy Banda accumulated just to beat the UNP, and it was he who laid the foundation to the corruption happening today.

Massdeen Saturday, 05 May 2018 04:15 PM

Mr Prez if you can give orders like this as a President why do you go to listen to the DIG,’s a fr some monks in appointing SF as Law and Order minister? You as President being the Boss must decide,

Buddhist Saturday, 05 May 2018 04:35 PM

In the south thugs are running riots. This is because of the strength they get from the Rajapakse family. Most of these thugs are supporters of Namal Rajapakse.

Troy Saturday, 05 May 2018 05:57 PM

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!

Mirissa Sunday, 06 May 2018 04:01 PM

Never...Come here and check by yourself

Ceylon Saturday, 05 May 2018 06:09 PM

Not only beach.sirisena also illeagal president.he became president to catch thieves and bring back stolen.money to the country.he didnt do anything.remove sirisena.

Don Saturday, 05 May 2018 06:12 PM

Mirissa Beach is not a safe place even during daytime not only for tourists but even for locals.

R.Anthony Saturday, 05 May 2018 07:34 PM

Well done CCD. President has No Confidence in his Adviser. If Sri Lanka could have officers like CCD Wow Wow . When will we have .........!!!!!!!!!???????.

Mirissa Sunday, 06 May 2018 03:58 PM

In Mirissa no one brick was removed. Please, unveil the names of the illegal structures and follow up the notice.

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Illegal structures along Mirissa beach: Prez orders immediate removal

Comments - 56

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