Prompt action against unauthorized buildings: Ministry

20 May 2017 07:48 am - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

In the wake of the collapse seven-storey building in Wellawatta on Thursday, the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry assured legal action would be taken against all substandard and unauthorized constructions in Colombo.

It said initially, action would be taken against the unauthorized constructions alongside the canals in Wellawatte.

Subsequently, some 1,800 constructions in Wellawatta and Bambalapitiya identified as substandard and unauthorized will be screened for gross violations of construction procedures and stern actions will be taken against the owners.

Addressing a news conference held at the Ministry, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said they had launched a sample survey in February 2017 to list out unauthorized constructions in Colombo.

“This survey will be expanded beyond Colombo with the assistance of the Statistics Department. So far, we have identified about 10,000 substandard structures which had mushroomed in Dehiwala, Mt. Lavinia and Kolonnawa as a result of unplanned urbanization. Action will be taken against the owners. Some of the buildings may have to be demolished while some others may be fined,” he said.

Meanwhile, commenting on Thursday’s building collapse in Wellawatta where one person was killed and more than 20 injured. The minister said a structural failure had caused the tragedy.

He said the owner had obtained approval for the plan from the Colombo Municipal Council for a housing complex to be built on this land in 2009 but had not obtained a Certificate of Compliance prior to occupying the building.

“To obtain a Certificate of Compliance, the standard of the building should be evaluated by a team of technical experts. This had not been done for this housing complex. Against this backdrop, the owner had started constructing another building adjacent to the housing complex on a section of the canal reservation land without approval from the authorities. This was the building which collapsed,” the minister said.

He said they had written to the IGP urging action against the building owner under the Penal Code on the basis that a valuable life had already been lost in this tragedy.

The minister said the incident was an eye opener to expedite action against unauthorized and substandard constructions in the country and highlighted the need for an effective and rapid legal procedure to take action against the owners of these building constructions. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 13

ameer Saturday, 20 May 2017 10:55 AM

Please reveal the owner's and contractors names

Ram Saturday, 20 May 2017 11:21 AM

Wonder what the local gov bodies were doing while thousands of structures were erected. Mount Lavina is a mess with so many apartments coming up on a daily basis. Breaking Drains, dumping excess concrete in drains, breaking roads, breaking street boards, reducing water pressure, increasing traffic congestion, making garbage collection more challenging.......

kan Saturday, 20 May 2017 11:23 AM

Please stick to what you say and we see the action taken by police , CMC etc and not talk only.

Raju Saturday, 20 May 2017 11:55 AM

Nobody believes you people. Take action and then talk

melda Saturday, 20 May 2017 02:53 PM

first get rid if corrupted unqualified technical officers in municipalities and councils. they do not know anything but they are the people who approve the works of qualified engineers and architects. so with suxh system can we expect any better than this via DM Android App

Sunil Saturday, 20 May 2017 03:08 PM

No, it's too early. Wait until some more such structures collapse.

IVJ Saturday, 20 May 2017 05:11 PM

Our authorities are always on a slumber mode. They only react once crisis has happened, pathetic! Just look at what happened in the past...."Meethotmulla disaster", "Tsunami", .......!

RAM Saturday, 20 May 2017 05:45 PM

VERY GOOD DECISION. IT SHOULD NOT LIMITED TO WELLAWATTE, BUT TO ALL IN CMC LIMITS. THERE IS A TEMPLE BEING BUILD FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS ON THE EDGE OF THE KIRILLAPONE CANAL. WILL THE AUTHORITY TAKE THEIR FIRST ACTION ON THIS TEMPLE AUTHORITIES. THE TEMPLE SITUATED VERY CLOSE TO THE INCIDENT SITE A FEW DAYS BACK.

Kadiya Saturday, 20 May 2017 07:28 PM

Of course closing the stable doors after the horses have bolted,no?

brainmsster Saturday, 20 May 2017 08:35 PM

co melda your comment says it all. Underqualified and corrupt technical officers and government servants.... via DM Android App

rethem Saturday, 20 May 2017 08:47 PM

people and contractors build without approval most of the time because some government officers purposely delaying approval until they get their bribe. no bribe means approval gets long time . why dônt you ask FCID to inquire government officers who give approval.

sam Saturday, 20 May 2017 09:06 PM

If this is done half of the buildings in Colombo have to be demolished. via DM iOS App

concern Saturday, 20 May 2017 10:09 PM

What action could you take? Demolish all unauthorized buildings ??

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Prompt action against unauthorized buildings: Ministry

Comments - 13

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Train fails to halt, crashes onto Colombo Fort platform

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

New Visa procedure implemented

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident