Southern Expressway wasn't cause for flooding: PHU

7 June 2017 03:16 am - 15 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

If the Southern Expressway (E01) has caused any impact on the environment as claimed by Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, its responsibility should be taken by the minister himself along with President Maithripala Sirisena and Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa who headed the Ministry of Environment respectively when the highway was built, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) charged yesterday.

It said it was the responsibility of the Environment Minister to allow the project to continue after approving the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).

“When the project was implemented, the Environment Minister was President Sirisena. Most of the constructions of the highway were carried out from 2007 to 2010 when Minister Ranawaka was the Environment Minister. Minister Yapa was the Environment Minister when the project was completed in 2011,” PHU General Secretary MP Udaya Gammanpila told a news conference.

Therefore, he said the finger which was pointed at them for alleged repercussions of the expressway should be directed at the present government in which all these personnel are a part of.

Categorically rejecting the argument of Minister Ranawaka, the MP said had the expressway acted as a dam and stored water creating floods, the land stretch from the highway towards the coastal areas should not have been severely affected.

“The most flood affected areas are the coastal areas. How is this possible if the expressway acted as a dam and how Ratnapura, Ayagama and Deniyaya flooded as there was no expressway in those areas?,” he said.

He said the answer to floods was not the termination of highways construction but the construction of highways on pillars in the wet zone.

“Though elevated highways cost 20% extra, it won’t cause any floods. Therefore, we request the government to construct the Colombo-Kandy Highway on pillars,” he said. (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 - 15

Kadiya Wednesday, 07 June 2017 07:04 AM

Everyone knows it but he still have to put his two cents worth as always and even if it was the cause he'd come to the rescue of his boss who had it made!

Sarath Wednesday, 07 June 2017 07:20 AM

This is purely a statement made by a personal rival. Otherwise what does he know about construction. The impact of the earth excavation during construction is not controlled anywhere in Sri lanka by an authorized government organization. There are so many complications when you forcibly do against the nature.

lion Wednesday, 07 June 2017 07:25 AM

This is a another highly qualified engineer making his contribution with regards to resent floods. This is the pathetic position of our politicians and the media which highlight hollow statements of bankrupt politicians whose only interest is for their comfort and well being.

S.P.RAMUMAR Wednesday, 07 June 2017 07:48 AM

Problem here is - Proper environment base feasibility report should not made everything were done interest of politicians wish. People have to move from river banks. Due to the Port city project sea level gone high at least 3-4 inches.

dham Wednesday, 07 June 2017 08:07 AM

Oh dham he is back I thought vanished via DM Android App

Desmond Jeromme Wednesday, 07 June 2017 09:39 AM

Hay bluffer, you are not an Engineer to decide.

TONY Wednesday, 07 June 2017 11:39 AM

OH! THIS GUY IS AN ENGINEER ALSO NAH

UN DOUBTED Wednesday, 07 June 2017 01:40 PM

"Udaya Gammanpila told a news conference - ": Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt. "

FOOL Wednesday, 07 June 2017 01:59 PM

"Udaya Gammanpila told a news conference - ": Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt. "

Wimal Wednesday, 07 June 2017 04:38 PM

Sad truth is we had massive floods in 2016 due to Rajapakse bund ,It happened agailn 2017 and it will happen again in 2018 Adams peak also will slide.Prevent this by building a high way on pillars from the money robbed by the Royal family.

dave Wednesday, 07 June 2017 06:14 PM

why do you want to draw royal college to this?.Ranil is a royalist true..but how do you know that mahendran is a royalist..this is what thomians always doo ..jump into conclusions without facts.

ENGINEER Wednesday, 07 June 2017 06:57 PM

YES OF COURSE - Montessori qualified !

Gayan Wednesday, 07 June 2017 07:11 PM

You wont get a penny back from Arjun Mahendran.

Udaya Wednesday, 07 June 2017 08:34 PM

we can refer him to IESL for chartered engineer without any exam or interview. let this guy to make some anonymous sound

Bala Thursday, 08 June 2017 02:59 AM

Gamaya is not an engineer - just posing as a knowall.

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.

Southern Expressway wasn't cause for flooding: PHU

Comments - 15

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

New Visa procedure implemented

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

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

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Uma Oya Development Project inaugurated

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