50,000 slums in Colombo to be removed: Champika

25 August 2017 11:38 am - 7 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Some 50,000 slums that were identified within the Colombo City limits, and at least half of them would be removed by year 2020, Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said yesterday.

Participating at a food festival at The Pettah Floating Market, the minister said around 10,000 new houses would be distributed among the people that would be built without state funding.

“It is also the government's responsibility to provide houses for the people living in Colombo. As it gives houses to people in the north and east, to plantation workers; it is also their duty to provide a shelter to people in Colombo. We request the President to develop Colombo before thinking the country’s other places,” he said.

He said Rs.864 billion had been spent on Hambantota development, while another Rs.377 billion on Kandy highway. But to build houses in Colombo or renovate its roads, no investments have been made by the government so far.

Therefore, Minister Champika requested the government to invest on Colombo to develop its infrastructure before going to develop the rural areas. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)

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Comments - 7

thilak Friday, 25 August 2017 12:12 PM

you are part of this gov. why are you making media statements, juts tell the govt. and ensure they spend to develop Colombo, after all most revenue comes from the capital

nick Friday, 25 August 2017 12:21 PM

so he is eying on to wash Colombo people eyes by degrading rural development so he can gain votes in Colombo I can smell that he is eying on next presidential candidate we all have dreams via DM Android App

ceylon Friday, 25 August 2017 12:33 PM

severe poverty.what a shame to all govetnments from 1948.69 years i depenfencethis is the progress.curse on all stupid leaders. via DM Android App

Sam Friday, 25 August 2017 04:19 PM

Please bring WW as Chief Guest for opening

Lord Wolfstein Friday, 25 August 2017 04:56 PM

Hopefully the people who get new houses have to pay at least a small rent and would be not allowed to rent it out to others.

kondaya77 Friday, 25 August 2017 10:34 PM

As usual the new houses will be neglected and dirty. The slum dwellers do not care about cleanliness!

rashim Wednesday, 21 November 2018 10:46 AM

stupid freaking power nd leaders have a big mouth but dont do nothing , they just want money and respect and power , parliment should be removed , ministers should be removed

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50,000 slums in Colombo to be removed: Champika

Comments - 7

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