Pettah hawkers evicted

28 April 2010 07:48 am - 65 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Just days after street hawkers in the Kandy town were evicted by the authorities, illegal pavement hawkers in parts of Pettah in Colombo were also evicted. However the hawkers say they were evicted without being given proper notice or an alternate location. (YP)

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Comments - 65

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 02:08 PM

Very good thing. Payment are not made for street hawkers to sell their stuff. But you should maintain this, if not they will be back again after a couple of weeks.

Thursday, 29 April 2010 12:47 AM

Great work.
Keep it up. Now we will be able to walk on pavements without any harresment. When a friend of mine from Australia visited S/L as a tourist, and when he came back his comments were "what sort of country is it" I was a bit ashamed about it. Again what is the guarentee they will not rebuild. Can any guarentee be given.

Hue.

Thursday, 29 April 2010 12:41 AM

don.t try to be to smart,by putting poor people on the street.
keeping the country clean is a excellent idea, but the poor people need help to continue there business. please help them
first,

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 04:14 PM

Well done !

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 03:44 PM

good point

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 03:43 PM

All this is fine and dandy, but what is worrying is how are all these people going to feed their families with no income? Is the govt providing them with an alternative?
_ a concerned citizen

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 03:30 PM

What's illegal is illegal. They may have been doing this for a long time and feeding their families. But still its illegal. everybody have to follow the rules. Obeying rules means respecting fellow citizens. This should have been done a long time ago. anyway a good start.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 03:22 PM

Well done, this has been long overdue.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 02:09 PM

it is very good and it should be permanent. do not compromise on it and the hawkers around the NHSL too should be evicted without compromise, people are forced to walk on the road and are prone to accidents and causing traffic jam.

Thursday, 29 April 2010 12:58 AM

I applaud this decision because we must eradicate 3rd world conditions such as hawkers on pavements for Sri Lanka to progress.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 01:10 PM

Well said saman. Any system should facilitate the peaceful existance of its people. Not the other way around. Even when removing the illegal structures, alternative arrangements or at least a few days of notice needs to be given.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 12:43 PM

Have you walked on the Colombo pavements? Someones' living should be earned without making trouble for other people. What these pettah hawkers do is exploite people coming to Colombo. Any responsible government has got to stop them

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 12:06 PM

I am not saying casinos are illegal.. you need to remove the illegal buildings which are not approved by the authority...

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 12:05 PM

Compare to India is irrelevant at this point. it is not fair to destroy their business establishments within a night. We need to focus to develop our country, to do this, we need to construct decent shopping complexes in various places in the Colombo city where these pavement people can be deployed in a priority basis, and then implement strict restrictions to prevent such pavement occupations. BEFORE IT ALL, I HAVE A QUESTION, WHAT IS CMC WRITTEN OR DESIGN PLAN TO DEVELOP COLOMBO CITY?????????

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 11:32 AM

Dont compare but learn to compete !! what ever said and done its some ones living ... legal , illegal is another but there is something we treasure - Human !

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 11:30 AM

Why did you wait till end of elections.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 11:18 AM

Just removing them temporary shouldn't be the case. It should be strictly enforced that if they come up again, then all the products on sale would be confiscated. Now it looks easier to move about and not an eyesore. Please repair the pavements with better signs
Finally, the evicted hawkers do have grievances based on the video, thus an alternate location be found with adequate spacing as a lot of misuse of land is visible. Further, ensure proper sanitation and waste management is practiced.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 10:40 AM

Yes. I agree with Lamaya. Sri Lankas standards are 100 times better when compared to much developed india. And i believe that Sri Lanka can achieve high development. Its our 'cant do' mentality that is keeping us from reaching that goal.

Thursday, 29 April 2010 01:11 AM

Yeah right. travel along marine drive, you see \sri lankan boys in ties, driving cars and stopping for a quick emergency call.

Thursday, 29 April 2010 01:51 AM

This is a great idea. But also it is necessary to find these people an alternative living. Other wise they will start robbery.
Educate them, and let us build a clean and livable colombo and other regions.

Thursday, 29 April 2010 02:06 AM

Lamaya, we dont need to become India, We need a Better Place. Better Capital. Like Singapore. Its high time to Take off indian mentality and look for civilised parts of the world to set targets.

Thursday, 29 April 2010 02:07 AM

But if they break the law, and occupy your house, do you give compensation????

Thursday, 29 April 2010 03:25 AM

SINCE THE POLITICIANS ARE CLEAN , ITS TIME TO CLEAN THE COUNTRY.

Thursday, 29 April 2010 04:51 AM

Simple pavements are meant solely for the pedestrians the fault is with the government for allowing it for other uses thereby they had created a monster and these patch works had never worked, how many times have they cleared the pavements on earlier occassions in Pettah and for reasons better known for them the authorities allow the hawkers to invade the pavements after few weeks if not in days. This is Sri Lanka.

Thursday, 29 April 2010 05:54 AM

It is true these constructions have been an obstruction to the public. But, the shocking realisaton is that WHY is this sudden action? Surely, these hawkers should have been given notice of action and more than that they should have been given alternative place to carry on their business. Don't the Govt. realise that this is the livelihood of these hawkers and thousands of lives depend on what they earn!

Thursday, 29 April 2010 06:01 AM

These structures on the pavements have to be cleared as they are for people to walk....Also legal shop owners who pay all taxes etc etc are been blocked by these people who are a terror group who are also involved in drugs prostitution etc....

Thursday, 29 April 2010 06:19 AM

incase you don’t know even if the police announce using loud speakers these people will say we didn’t hear that’s how they are always and think all the trouble girls go through to walk in petta ...how can we ever go forward as a country if all the people think like you

Thursday, 29 April 2010 06:36 AM

Ok guys,what about their daily income?is there any initiative measurement for the job less youth who is doing business these particular areas,?

Thursday, 29 April 2010 07:03 AM

Dear Lamaya, Why do you want to compare with untidy places in India. go and see Goa, Bangalore, Hydrabad, Delhi, Ooty... also compare with Newyork, Sydney, Paris, London, why you want to compare yourself with a monkey rather than a human being.

Thursday, 29 April 2010 07:10 AM

Why go to the Pettah ? You know things are cheap on the pavement so you go to Pettah and not to the flashy malls in Colombo. So stop moaning about the pavement hawkers, they cater to people with very light purses................

Thursday, 29 April 2010 07:12 AM

Dream on.................................

Thursday, 29 April 2010 08:13 AM

the government should arrange a alternate place for these people like a world market in pettah, reference to casinoes this is where the government gets more money

Thursday, 29 April 2010 08:16 AM

good job....

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 09:35 AM

Aruna why did you take your sister to pettah ... ??

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 08:06 AM

Why they should given any notice as long as all of these shops are illegal? But my concern is, after sometime they will build these things again. Colombo is one of the most untidy and unplanned cities. Politicians need to bring some pride to the city rather than making their own home clean and big. I am doubtful that SL can ever become a developed nation.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 08:10 AM

Great.. How these hawkers demand notice? they did an illegal thing by blocking pavements. Dont give them compensation too.. It will promote them..

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 08:12 AM

The new government jumps straight into action. Great move. Pettah needs to be cleared of hawrkers. Most of them are rouges. All good work should be appreciated. Thank you Mr. Mayor, At last pedesrians will enjoy their due right.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 08:26 AM

Notice? Don't take any notice! Just kick them away!

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 08:43 AM

It will be good, if an alternative was found for them,remember they also need to live and feed their families

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 08:50 AM

Clear them from York street, Fort , Maradana, Borella and Galle Road as well. All of them are enjoying tax free and rent free shops.
Accommodate them in the Fort Railway Station Night market by building multi story complex. Develop such Night markets in other areas.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 08:50 AM

Why parts of Pettah? it Should be completely eleminated. By the way, why did the authorities responsible encourage the poor hawkers all these days and suddenly acting so rudely? Provide them alternte remedies so that they will earn for their day to day living without being a burden to others.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 08:56 AM

Giving notice is an egg & chicken thing. If we really need to develop our country we cannot listen to all parties. Anyone whos been to an organized city anywhere in the wolrd? would know our standard.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 08:57 AM

usual way of re-collecting bribe from the traders to start business again on the same pavement.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 08:59 AM

tax free shops etc are secondary, most important is most of these vendors are irresponsible conmen. Once somebody bought a shirt and it had only the front side. These guys need to be given proper space and teach them to be responsible. Good move by the government but I am afraid it is only to clear the city for tourists to see nice places, not concerning the public.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 09:16 AM

Good move, I remember when I was shopping with my sister in pettah one person who was selling some items touched her purposely. I was embarrassed. Good move, keep it up.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 09:16 AM

here we go.. we chase them and collect money from them, tomorrow they will sell again... , its like T20 from the 1st day of the appointment money ball is spun....

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 09:22 AM

Devanand, casinos are not illegal in Sri Lanka. In fact, we should encourage them now for tourism.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 09:23 AM

Good move..................

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 09:32 AM

What about the illegal encroaches of Colombo? The high society encroaches, who takes government reservations, other peoples property... when they get caught, bribe the relevant parties...

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 08:05 AM

Though they are illegal, you need to give notice... why wont the govt. distroy all the illegal structure raised in colombo.. like the casinos in col 3?

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 09:37 AM

Good move. Next throw those three wheelers too. Only one can stay. when it gets hired another one comes in.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 09:39 AM

Payment hawkers in Colombo have been a problem for maintaining tidiness, cleanliness and security in the City and also is a nuisance to commuters, shoppers etc usually come to the City in large numbers. However, these kind of evictions carried out in the past has proved to be ineffective. What happens is during elections our politicians make all kind of promises to these hawkers to secure their votes. What the authorities must do is to map up a proper plan to relocate them to an appropriate alternative places enabling them to earn their living or to provide them with alternative self-employment opportunities. However it is not reasonable to throw out them without any prior notice.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 09:39 AM

well Done.Keep it up.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 09:39 AM

How many times have we seen this circus now? It's almost a formality to see them set up stalls again by the end of the week. Word 'eviction' does not really tell the story here, it should be 'forced holiday' instead.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 09:44 AM

This is good all voted for a suba Anagathayak “better Future” know? wait anxiously all will hear more and more good news until everyone see the "stars"

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 09:53 AM

Did the hawkers in Colombo and Kandy cities vote against the government?

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 09:56 AM

Whether they are legal or illegal all hawkers must be evicted.Pavement is for pedestrians not for those thugs who occupied the pavement.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 09:58 AM

Local boy have you been to India recently? Colombo is like a paradise compared to their cities!

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 10:11 AM

yes , 3 wheelers have invaded all the parking areas /slots,other vehicles do not have places to park .

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 10:18 AM

The Colombo society Encroaches are so arrogant that once they do it, they fight with people who have more right in the area than them!

Is this Sri Lanka?? Guess what goes around, has to come down for these guys to fall back to Earth!

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 10:26 AM

Panadura town is another nightmare with illegal hawkers. The Mayor must do something immediately,or there won't be any road left for people to drive a vehicle in Panadura. One hawker has installed an Appa Kade right in front of another shop near Galkanda bakery, covering the corner of a main junction and surprisingly no action has taken by any authority. If this continues, the whole city of Panadura will be a huge market place.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 10:27 AM

Very good move. Actually I can recall that the former Minister Mr. Mangala Samaraweera had dared to do it. How ever this should be continued until clean up is done all over the towns in Sri Lanka. One Country! One Rule!

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 10:34 AM

Very good move Sri Lanka!!!! Lets build a beautiful Sri Lanka. I''m happy we can walk freely on pavements now.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 10:34 AM

Nice Move, First, important thing is to keep the country clean,the rest will automatically develope,

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 10:39 AM

Yes. Casinos are not illegal here. You can run a casino by obtaining a license. these things have to be there if you want to promote tourism.

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Pettah hawkers evicted

Comments - 65

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