Directive from President to renovate canals, drainage system in Colombo

20 May 2025 09:03 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 22 Bookmark

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Colombo, May 20 (Daily Mirror) - In response to the rapid rise in dengue and chikungunya cases in the Colombo District, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed the relevant officials to promptly address the urgent repairs needed for the canals and drainage system.

According to the President’s Media Division, the President gave these directives during a meeting held today (20) at the Presidential Secretariat with officials from the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, along with other relevant institutions.

The President questioned the officials regarding the inadequate maintenance of the canals and drainage systems directing the Urban Development Authority to devise a plan that includes sustainable solutions for the improper disposal of waste and wastewater.

The President also informed the relevant officials to submit the relevant plans promptly.

During the meeting, attention was also drawn to address the issue of improper waste disposal by enhancing the active involvement of Police Environmental Protection Division and Community Committees.

Comments - 22

james Tuesday, 20 May 2025 09:21 PM

AKD may be able finally to do something in a municipal council not as president

2 29

Dr. Kankanamge Wednesday, 21 May 2025 08:08 AM

Pachawatte sahodarayas have never even run a tea shop. Maybe they can learn to clean drains. Most of them are drain brains.

7 4

Anji Bajal Wednesday, 21 May 2025 08:57 AM

Will little miss Balthasar be asked to drive growth for Sri Lanka as AKD is doing what she is supposed to do?

1 4

Lk Tuesday, 20 May 2025 09:32 PM

Please clean up Colombo and make sure to educate people to put rubbish into bins and this must be done in schools to throw rubbish into right places . River, Kalamiya, and all canals must be clean and tidy : floods are overflowing due to this blockages : Please modernize all systems to make it. Clean and today: First of all we need build some public toilets and public baths in Colombo for business purposes and please give them to some private companies and let them do the jobs and earn money as well If only we have some super clean public toilets all over the Colombo it would be good for our tourism industry as well .

0 27

Kevin Tuesday, 20 May 2025 09:38 PM

Should be basic hygiene. Ridiculous for president to have to step in.

2 49

johan Tuesday, 20 May 2025 10:20 PM

We want NPP Govt. to solve the drainage and garbage menace in Colombo 15. UNP and SLPP cheated us by getting only votes. No proper Drainage system to our lane last 35 years in Mattakkluiya

3 18

Resident Tuesday, 20 May 2025 11:16 PM

Very good idea. MATTAKKULIYA and Wellawatte and MALIGA WATTA canal as soon as possible.

0 4

Aquarius Wednesday, 21 May 2025 12:34 AM

The Hamilton canal should be cleaned up and opened for proper use with boats to transport goods and people to avoid traffic nightmares on the roads.

0 3

Seeya Wednesday, 21 May 2025 02:14 AM

It is imperative that action be taken to sort out the drainage systems in Colombo. The reason for all these diseases and flooding due to rain are blocked drainages etc, more than the UDA the Ministry should step in. And it's the citizens duty to look after the environment and put the waste into correct bin. Pick up your garbage and bin it rather than throwing it away.

0 3

Nalin Gooneratne Wednesday, 21 May 2025 02:21 AM

It is important to check and monitor the expenses. Also improve garbage collection in densely populated areas near canals.

0 1

ill disciplined country of people. Wednesday, 21 May 2025 04:36 AM

What sri lankans need is five years of living in North Korea and then they will learn what discipline is.

0 2

Hiranthi Jansz Wednesday, 21 May 2025 06:16 AM

I think it's best to clean up the drains in Colombo 13, including Armor Street. I have told CMC/UDA officials many times during last 15years or so. But no action yet. Despite that they approve many residential development/apartments which promotes more drainage issues. This is for the attention of CMC and UDA officials.

0 2

Norman Wednesday, 21 May 2025 06:25 AM

I recently visited few places of interest during my short visit to Sri Lanka. On the advice of my Sri Lankan friend I visited the town Jaffna for two days. I was shocked. The canals and drains were stinking and blocked. The market wash rooms unbelievably very unhygienic. The pavement covers were very loose, there were garbage on all road side towards the railway station. The only happiness I enjoyed was talking to the general public. They were helpful and kind. The women were too shy to speak to me for an extended time. I wonder do they have a municipality with health service facility?

0 1

Just saying Wednesday, 21 May 2025 11:52 AM

Unfortunately, some people there invested heavily in military, land mines etc instead of useful things that would have benefited that region. Eg improving their living conditions.

0 1

Answering your question Wednesday, 21 May 2025 11:53 AM

Health service facilities are present throughout Sri Lanka.

1 0

Rupasinghe Arachchi Wednesday, 21 May 2025 07:47 AM

Ratmalana and Moratuwa Areas - Nelumpura and adjoining areas. go under water for decades, even for slight rain, the big joke is the sea is just a few meters away, where they can easily drain this rain water through a giant pipe. This simple technique has not been used for decades, greatly relieving residents, avoiding things like dengue. Floods on land close to the sea are very very rare, but they happen only in Sri Lanka, being an Island - Catch these government officials who are responsible for this

0 2

Inshi Wednesday, 21 May 2025 08:12 AM

Drains have been cut in narrow roads without thought being given to pedestrians. When there is vehicular movement, some people jump to save themselves from being knocked down. They have to avoid both traffic and the filthy drains. Why can't they put slabs on top of it so that the flow is smooth from both drain and on the top? Open drains are an invitation to mosquitoes and uncaring people who dispose their garbage. Please see that the new members do something about it.

0 5

Daya Wednesday, 21 May 2025 08:25 AM

Mr. President. Please ask the relevant departments to check why all our canals have green water?. Approximately, before 40 years, the water was clean, but now it looks the factories are dumping their waste into the canals. The factories must have recycling plants. The environmental Police should check into this.

0 2

CitizenP Wednesday, 21 May 2025 08:49 AM

Please do not follow Clean Srilanka, cleaning passenger bus Programs. All these programs have been abandoned.

0 1

Percy Wijenayake Wednesday, 21 May 2025 09:40 AM

I am most delighted at the directive from the President to upgrade the Drainage system in Colombo. Apart from Colombo the Regional area must also be addressed. It is cost prohibitive, however a cost saving in Public Health and Hospitalization.

0 1

ajith Wednesday, 21 May 2025 09:49 AM

So what is the CMC and SLRDCC doing. These are under their purview, why does the President have to interfere in such menial issues

0 3

Sashi Wednesday, 21 May 2025 11:58 AM

Good proposal. Overhaul of drainage and canals are long overdue. Might also help address mosquito issue by dealing with stagnant water etc

0 1

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