Underground chamber found under the school turns out to be neighbour’s garage

By Suranga Rajanayaka - Gampola

July 13 (Daily Mirror) - A large underground chamber, accidentally uncovered during a dengue prevention drive at a school in Gampola town, has turned out to be a garage and storage room belonging to a house located on the lower side of the elevated school premises.

The discovery was made while students, teachers, and staff were clearing the school grounds as a part of the current island wide programme to curb the rapid spread of dengue. Acting on advice to drain wastewater from the school canteen, they began digging a trench on the school property.

However, after digging the ground about one and a half to two feet deep, workers struck a cement concrete slab. Assuming it was part of an old drainage system, they broke through it and directed the wastewater into the chamber below.

The situation took a surprising turn when a woman from a neighbouring house beyond the school fence arrived and raised concerns. She reported that a pipe from the school had been lowered near her ceiling fan and that wastewater was now flowing into her building.

Further inspection revealed that the house, located on New Street near Gampola town, had constructed a portion of its approximately 40-foot structure extending into the school premises. The chamber in question, the woman claimed, was their garage and storage room.

The school principal has since lodged complaints with the Gampola Police and the Zonal Education office, prompting an investigation into the encroachment and the unauthorized construction.