Colombo ruined by years of corrupt governance: Bimal Ratnayake

17 June 2025 12:29 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 30 Bookmark

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Colombo, June 17 (Daily Mirror) - Colombo city has deteriorated due to the corrupt municipal administration that has existed for many years, Transport, Highways, Ports and Aviation Minister Bimal Ratnayake said yesterday.

Speaking at an event held to hand over new housing units to the Police Department at the Harbor View Residence in Colombo’s Blumenthal, the Minister said the city’s poor condition is the result of long-standing mismanagement and corrupt practices.

He alleged that millionaires had been created through the manipulation of vehicle yards and public toilet systems under this corrupt municipal system. “If Colombo had been developed with a proper plan, it could have surpassed cities like Kuala Lumpur by now,” Minister Ratnayake said.

The event marked the official handing over of 40 houses to police officers whose quarters were lost during the construction of a new flyover on Company Street, built to ease heavy traffic congestion in Colombo.

The Minister noted that the government is now focused on correcting these mistakes, with plans to upgrade all roads in Colombo and its suburbs to international standards by next year. “There’s no point in blaming past mistakes. We are a government here to find solutions,” he added.

Minister Ratnayake also said that the President has instructed authorities to implement development projects with maximum efficiency and minimum wastage of public funds.

“Colombo is one of the oldest cities in Asia, yet it has not been properly developed for decades. Cities that were once behind us are now far ahead. Poor city planning has not only harmed development but caused hardship for residents and enormous financial losses due to traffic congestion and unauthorized constructions,” he said.

The Harbor View Residence housing complex features 452 houses in a 24-storey building, with 40 units handed over yesterday. The project also includes a community hall, Grama Niladhari office, and health centre.

Comments - 30

Dr Soori Maripalan Tuesday, 17 June 2025 12:45 PM

This is perfectly true! All expect that NPP headed by AKD will solve these issues as soon as possible!

24 18

We have faith in the NPP Tuesday, 17 June 2025 01:24 PM

Very true. We have already seen how the socio-economic burning issues faced by people in the country have been nicely solved since NPP coming to power in later 2024! Fuel price has been reduced by Rs 150, electricity tariffs have been brough down by 30%, the rice mafia has been busted at a stoke of a pen, Ugandan FOREX has been brough back to the country, VAT of essential goods and services has been reduced to zero, all unemployed graduates have been provided with employment, benefits of former presidents have been removed (e.g. Mr Mahinda Rajapakse has been pushed out of his official Wijerama Mawatha residence), there is abundance coconut, salt, etc. in the country, a car can be purchased at Rs 1.2 million, etc. So, cleaning the Colombo MC administration is nothing for the NPP. A good future lies for us, indeed!!!

3 18

Frai Balsatha Tuesday, 17 June 2025 06:16 PM

National Pacha Pava no action Pacha talking only. Enjoying super luxury vehicles similar to kaputas. Biggest corruptors are advising Pacha Kumara example Usup and Hulangona.

4 3

Roses are red Tuesday, 17 June 2025 12:58 PM

Pot calling the Kettle Black... We the public are watching... Because talk is cheap.

11 28

ANURA/NPP WILL KEEP TALKING AND UPDATING THE PEOPLE AND "WALK THE TALK" TOO DURING THEIR FIRST TERM, WHICH WILL LEAD THEM INTO A 2ND TERM WITH A BIGGER MAJORITY. Tuesday, 17 June 2025 04:55 PM

ROSES ARE RED, BUT YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT ROSES ARE OF MANY DIFFERENTS COLOURS, SHADES AND BI COLOURS!!. WERE ROSES PURPLE DURING THE GOVERNING OF THE PREVIOUS GOVTS!! WE THE PEOPLE THINK THE RED ROSES TURNED BLACK DURING THEIR RULE!!. CHEAP SOOTHING TALK IS WHAT THE MAJORITY HAVE HEARD FROM POLITICIANS IN THE PAST DECADES, WHILE SOME AND THEIR CLAN FEATHERED THIS NESTS.

2 2

Gunapala Tuesday, 17 June 2025 01:01 PM

If you know about previous corruptions bring the culprits into justice. Just talking is not enough.

6 27

Rogue Tuesday, 17 June 2025 02:14 PM

Be Patient, it is coming and your loved ex politicians and corrupt mates will pay for their crimes.

9 9

Vis Tuesday, 17 June 2025 01:01 PM

Pls invest in some road cleaner machines, this scale cannot be done by manual labors, roads need to be brushed one or two times per week. That will make this city hygienic and dust free.

0 24

Ratepayer Tuesday, 17 June 2025 02:48 PM

Road cleaner machines can be used here for only a few streets/roads. They need straight edges with a definite sidewalk, so that brushes stir for vacuum pick up of dirt. Our road edges are uneven so with grass and other broken edges. It will not work in the suburbs but some top Colombo roads can benefit.

0 5

Priyan66 Tuesday, 17 June 2025 01:15 PM

If government measure all buildings in Colombo without involving corrupt CMC staff and computerize them and collect "Rate tax" at present rate. That money will more than enough to maintain CMC.

0 6

Nihal S Tuesday, 17 June 2025 01:19 PM

We look forward to a good change in Colombo and the surroundings.

1 6

Rates payer Tuesday, 17 June 2025 01:38 PM

quote - " has deteriorated due to the corrupt municipal administration that has existed for many years," unquote -- Absolutely correct whether it comes to [a] approving of building plans [b}obtaining of COC [c} addressing complains made to relevant authorities etc etc. A through cleanup is required. Even those who issue parking tickets make a fast buck, Payment made "under the table" is channeled through outside sources we understand, Better check the bankaccounts and the assets of the municipal authorities

0 4

Kays Tuesday, 17 June 2025 02:41 PM

Says the hon minister while declaring open a project started under a previous administration!

1 4

John Frazer Tuesday, 17 June 2025 03:03 PM

proof is in the pudding. now NPP took over the country almost 12 months . Politicans does not have to say the voters can assess the results .

0 6

Suhada malli Tuesday, 17 June 2025 03:16 PM

You lot talk big but only 41% of the population voted for you even at the presidential election. And it became worse after 6 months when Town council elections were held. So now its high time you stopped talking trash and actually cleaned Sri Lanka. 80% of the population believe NPP also paid money to some elected councilors to get the majority in CMC. So now please shut the big talk and do some work.

3 7

ANNE CUNT Tuesday, 17 June 2025 03:35 PM

do not forget the CORRUPTION at SRI-LANKAN AIRLINES

1 5

Upali Tuesday, 17 June 2025 04:04 PM

Please stop the crap

1 6

Mark Anandappa Tuesday, 17 June 2025 04:22 PM

This guy has become so irritating to hear- never heard him sound positive.

2 5

Dr Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 17 June 2025 04:40 PM

Wow, they built a big housing scheme and a flyover within 7 months,, what a wonderful news for the coolies of NPP Laundry Corporation. Colombo is ruined but how and where? Specify what mistakes to be corrected? These general bulshit talks are the only capability that the Pacha Government could do. You guys destroyed Galle Face Green too.

4 5

Facts are stubborn Tuesday, 17 June 2025 04:43 PM

This beautiful country has been ruined by decades of corrupt governance and this is nothing new. The curse lies with the corrupt politicians and people over the decades and yet the corruption continues. When the country ( Ceylon ) was doing well, very well the Sinhala politicians marginalised the very minorities who were the catalysts of the progress and destroyed everything that was a solid foundation. Nothing can develop the country now and in the future and we are left to flounder with the corrupt filth in society. The good citizens have left, the few remaining are leaving, and the filth are blocking the paths of progress. So much for 2500 years of Sinhala Buddhist culture .

1 4

Ainsley Tuesday, 17 June 2025 09:07 PM

Yes ! facts are truly stubborn. The media very rarely publish the reasons for the gradual ruination of the country from then till present. If we as Sri lankans can digest the facts and whole heartedly remedy all the problems then, hey presto ! we are on the road to recovery and progress. Can we do it ??????????

0 0

wellwisher Tuesday, 17 June 2025 04:49 PM

First discard the outdated buses and lorries that emit smoke and make the cities polluted .Make a metro line from Petta to Panadura or beruwala along marine drive and make alternative way for regular train service to down south .Also a walking and cycling track .similar metro ,cycling ,walking tracks can be put in other major cities like Kandy .from Peradeniya to katugastotota via Kandy will reduce much traffic and pollution. Walking and cycling track will create a healthy population Learn from other developed places like Singapore , Dubai ,Zurich and Instanbull

0 1

Priyanee Wijesekera Tuesday, 17 June 2025 05:01 PM

The history of the JVP shows that they are paragons of virtue

1 1

Charles Jansz Tuesday, 17 June 2025 05:04 PM

Corrupt Municipal Governance has led to a 'clean' Secret Ballot election for starters ! Talk to be taken with a pound of salt !!

1 1

RanjithT Tuesday, 17 June 2025 05:09 PM

Comrade B Mal. Will you be so kind enough to stop jabbering about past sins and start delivering. It's close to a year nothing to boast except politicians being taken to custody released, then taken again on a different charge mainly on misappropriation of government funds not directly bribes or amass unexplained wealth or taking commissions. How can you comrades plan and execute when you guys for the past 50 years have no experience managing even a roadside "Bulathvita Kade". BTW what is the plan for CMC with a time line????

1 1

Gona Tuesday, 17 June 2025 05:13 PM

Yes, whether you tell or notwe know that all previous governments made for themselves, that is why people elected you for a change. But don't forget what damage you did to public property during two insurrections. How many buses were burnt by JVP goons. Have you forgotten your past, minieater? So stop complaining and get to work.

1 0

Talking Too Soon Tuesday, 17 June 2025 06:03 PM

Everyone is the same so don't be self-righteous. JVP was no different, as they have shown by their past. Right now the enthusiasm is like having a new toy. Give it time before the novelty fizzles.

0 0

ANNE CUNT Tuesday, 17 June 2025 06:33 PM

very true get rid of corruption in Sri-Lanka you will be a hero. check what is going on at our airline

0 0

Menaka Tuesday, 17 June 2025 08:58 PM

Not only Colombo, whole of Sri Lanka ruined by the Senanayake, Bandaranayakes, Jayawardenes, Rajapakses, Wicremasinghes.

0 0

Voters Tuesday, 17 June 2025 09:39 PM

Here we go again! Stop blaming previous regimes. You came into power only because they were not good and people were frustrated, not forgetting that people were mislead by opportunists! Do your job now without going on and on about previous governments.

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