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CMC 'gimmicks': Children's fun for sale at Colombo parks

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1 September 2018 02:06 pm - 31     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has passed a proposal to fix playground equipment at the Viharamahadevi Park and Mutwal Crow Island Park and charge Rs. 400 per hour from children who play at these grounds.

The proposal has been submitted by the United National Party (UNP) to the Financial Committee, to be initiated as a Private Public Partnership (PPP) and it was passed in the council session with majority votes on August 24.

UNP and SLFP councillors had voted in favour of the proposal while the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) councillors strongly rejected it.

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) was absent when the vote was called.

According to the proposal, construction of the two play areas will be done by the private firm who will make a payment of Rs. 10,000 monthly as rent to the Colombo Municipality.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, JVP Councillor Hemantha Weerakoon said it was unfortunate that a government body such as the CMC that is earning a net income of Rs. 16,000 million per annum, was attempting to find money from children’s leisure activities.

He questioned as to what was provided by the Colombo Municipality to the public for free.

“We objected the proposal as it was a violation of the CMC ordinance to implement such a proposal. It is also not ethical to charge from children’s leisure activities. According to the proposal, a child between 5 to 10 years has to pay Rs. 100/- for 15 minutes. Can a child stop playing within 15 minutes. Then how much would it cost the parents, if this proposal was implemented,” he said.

When contacted, CMC Commissioner V. K. Anura said he was not aware of the proposal.

JVP Councillor Weerakoon confirmed that the Commissioner did not attend the evening council session when the proposal was passed.

“However, the Commissioner cannot say that he doesn’t know about this. He is informed of all the proposals made at the meeting,” he said.

Meanwhile, sources at the CMC said that though the proposal was passed with majority votes, it was not in accordance to the CMC ordinance, and therefore cannot be implemented. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)


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  Comments - 31

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  • Gamini Ranasinghe Saturday, 01 September 2018 05:31 PM

    Media has much capability give half the truth and incite people.. If the equipment are installed and operated under PPP, at least the costs has to be recovered When take our children to watch a film or a drama won't we pay?

    Saman Sunday, 02 September 2018 10:13 AM

    That's why they take huge percentage as tax from every rupee we spend.

    Al Sunday, 02 September 2018 01:47 PM

    Parks are maintained by tax money. Taking fees for recreational facilities is a day light robbery and in most countries the Mayor would be forced to resign

    Nahfees Saturday, 01 September 2018 05:37 PM

    Rs 600,000 chairs for you'll for not doing anyway and argue for your own good. But you cannot spend few hundred thousand from the public money for our future generations happiness? Where is your so called vision ? You guys cannot see past next month. Bunch of jokers?

    Harini Saturday, 01 September 2018 06:50 PM

    How disgusting! It isn't about ordinance or not. Public parks and recreational facilities for children are free everywhere in the world. The government needs to have rationality in its collections from the public when debt servicing. What will be converted to saleable resources next? The air we breathe? It's not only Chinese ambition we need to be afraid of, it's also the dictatorship of the WB, IMF etc.

    das Sunday, 02 September 2018 01:10 AM

    Nothing is free. Someone pays for it. Problem is that some parasites only want to receive and not pay for anything.

    Lal Sunday, 02 September 2018 12:50 PM

    Costs of public parks are taken by taxes in every country there is extra fees

    Unchikun Saturday, 01 September 2018 07:12 PM

    The rates we pay to local governments are very small. Time we get used to paying for the service we us. Once again the JVP is clean off track. They all all for free and no taxes.

    das Sunday, 02 September 2018 01:09 AM

    JVP are always looking for a free ride. Who ultimately pays for these?

    Sunil Saturday, 01 September 2018 07:27 PM

    These bastards are shamelessly violating the rights of children also.

    Mr X Saturday, 01 September 2018 07:52 PM

    Are you kidding? Will everyone soon be charged for every step they take in the park next? Can't wait for the elections.

    aney baiyo Sunday, 02 September 2018 01:12 AM

    Why? If MR wins, is he going to give everything for free?

    Suresh Saturday, 01 September 2018 07:57 PM

    No govt has reduced peoples benefits and increased their own as much as this govt

    DJ Saturday, 01 September 2018 08:39 PM

    This is a sick idea. Only the rich will be able to afford this activity for their children while the poor have look and go back to their homes dissapointed. It is sad that we have such members in the CMC who are heartless

    channa Saturday, 01 September 2018 10:10 PM

    let children play under trees without a fee. even people can offord should not enjoy playing with new equipments. let their parent spend their money for alcohol and drugs

    GH Saturday, 01 September 2018 11:35 PM

    Non of the projects or proposals brought by the YAHAPALANAYA govt. has followed the ordinance and/or constitution of Sri Lanka and Gross violation is their motto.

    abc Sunday, 02 September 2018 01:10 AM

    Sure, and you must have been born yesterday.

    justica USA Saturday, 01 September 2018 11:53 PM

    Isnt it ironic that the company which will be awarded this project will pay to CMC ONLY RS10000.00? Who owns this company? With the financial resources the CMC has it can jollywell afford to fix these equient n even replace new ones for the pleasure of the kids THE FUTURE of the country... Why the stpidity of the councilors have to be exposed thus, Mind you most of the kids are of parents who pay taxes to CMCLET THE KIDS COME AND ENJOY the fresh air than be fiddling with gadgets and be OBESE..

    Chili Sunday, 02 September 2018 12:03 AM

    I must be ashamed of the others.A misguided financial policy must not be carried out on the backs of our children! Whether it's in Colombo or anywhere else on the island.

    Moiez Sunday, 02 September 2018 12:09 AM

    Rs 400 is too much , what if a poor parents come with a child to play ,the CMC should allow free to all the children. The colombo mayor doesn't understand what the other world does to children .Bullshit .

    welfare mindset Sunday, 02 September 2018 01:13 AM

    The majority of comments show that we want to get everything for free and then complain about it.

    Lal Sunday, 02 September 2018 12:52 PM

    Public facilities like parks are maintained by taxes. Taking fees is illegal

    welfare mindset Sunday, 02 September 2018 06:01 PM

    @lal. I don't think that's universally true. If that is the case let's increase taxes, so even people who don't use parks can contribute.

    sensible Sunday, 02 September 2018 06:12 PM

    Maybe the govt can reduce taxes and charge just the park users.

    akila Monday, 03 September 2018 08:56 AM

    Did you miss that part in the article where it says CMC's annual income is 16,000 million

    lala~ Sunday, 02 September 2018 09:43 AM

    Rs. 10,000 monthly as rent to CMC LOL! wt happens rest millions of money they going to make. must be divide each MP. Hahahah

    Pora Monday, 03 September 2018 04:20 PM

    According to the news it's a PPP project, so income will be divided between CMC and the pvt party proportionately...

    Hiran Sunday, 02 September 2018 11:46 AM

    If the CMC installed this equipment themselves and covered the expenses using the rates charged from households, they wouldn't be drawing this much flak. The rates paid by Colombo households are ridiculously low, CMC needs a serious rethinking of its financial management.

    Ravi Sunday, 02 September 2018 02:59 PM

    Private firm? Who is the politikka who owns it?

    Silva Sunday, 02 September 2018 05:32 PM

    We speak about equality to children Rs 400 is unreasonable this should be free. If CMC going to have motorised rides CMC can charge for that separately but rest of the area should be free, free, free. The deal anyway is fishy.

    Palugasweaw Sunday, 02 September 2018 09:18 PM

    Rosy is the newest member of Ranil's Country Governing Group that includes Malik,Kabir,Sagala,Akila etc President has no say and no power to stop decisions taken by this group.


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