Breaking News

Nugegoda Hawkers complain

06 Oct 2011 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Nugegoda Janatha Pola United Traders Association yesterday charged that some 25 hawkers who were carrying out business in the fair for decades have been pushed out from it by the police and some influential politicians.

Nugegoda Janatha Pola United Traders Association President Premadasa Vidanapathirana told a news conference yesterday that some traders have been left on the lurch despite legal permission they posses to carry out their businesses. He said some widows have lost their livelihood because of this move.

Vidanapathirana said some who have not sighted the fair had been provided stalls.
A trader, M. Sumanawathi who was emotional when talking of her plight said she had been treated this way despite supporting the ruling party. She said, requests made to the police by a minister to provide her a stall had also been turned down. She charged that a powerful political figure in the South had reserved some stalls for their henchmen.
Another trader W. R. Gunsasiri said he too was pushed out despite the legal permission he had obtained to carry out trading.

UNP National list MP Dr. Harsha De Silva commenting on the matter questioned as to how the police could allocate stalls of a fair or a market, as it is their duty to maintain the law and order of the country.

Dr. De Silva charged that he was questioned by a former IGP when he was touring the Nugegoda Fair recently. “How can a former IGP question an MP in such a manner? he asked. He said the former IGP had informed that a UPFA candidate who is contesting for the Sri Jayaweardenepura Kotte Municipal Council had been put in charge of allocating the stalls among the traders. “How can a candidate, contesting an election, be in charge of such activities?” he asked.

He also charged that nearly 200 stalls have been promised to traders although there is no room for such a large number of stalls. (Yohan Perera)

Breaking News

Nugegoda Hawkers complain

Most Popular Articles

More arrests of lawyers, politicians and senior police officers

Former National Lotteries Board Chairperson Shyamila Perera arrested

Girl visited her lover, gang raped by lover and his friends

FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Bracket and Schedule: Road to the Final Takes Shape

Country loses US $ 1 billion in fraudulent transactions, certain banks involved

Rupee depreciates further against US Dollar

Latest News

CSE ends mixed after technical delay curtails trading session

Central Bank warns public over prohibited pyramid schemes

Three die in Mexico City World Cup celebrations

Badulla Alugolla fire spreads over 20 acres

Passing out ceremony...