Renovation of Independence Square walking track gets off the ground

• Renovations were now underway . Authorities had not attended to it until MP Harsha de Silva made the revelation on his social media post

By Yohan Perera   

Renovating of the walking track in Independence Square which was said to be in a dilapidated state has commenced,  a report stated.   
MP Harsha de Silva revealed on social media about the sorry state of the walking track . He stated that renovations were now underway. However he queried as to why the authorities had not attended to it until he made the revelation on his social media post. 

“Work on the track has started… but why did they have to take so long until I pointed it out? Anyway good. Thank you. Now hope you maintain it,” Dr. de Silva said in his X handle.   
Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror on an earlier occasion also reported about the state of the walking track.   
De Silva urged the Mayor of Colombo Vraie Cally Balthazaar to look into it in his social media post.   
Mayor Balthazaar while thanking MP de Silva for sharing the post, stated she would share it with the UDA an the Minister of Urban Development. The Mayor had expressed this sentiment in her X message.   
Later, Dr. De Silva told the Daily Mirror that he appreciates the response from the Mayor and said he wants her to get the job done, “At least the Mayor responded and I appreciate it. I want her to get the job done. All these years, this path was quite well maintained. Right now it is hazardous to walk there particularly for the elderly,” he said.   
Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Hemantha Weerakoon who responded said the walking track does not come under the purview of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).   
“The walking track does not come under CMC though many think it does. It is under the purview of UDA. Many complaints are directed at the CMC. The CMC is blamed if garbage is found near the Gangaramaya or if there is any issue along Baseline Road. Most of these roads and land either come under the UDA, Railway Department or Road Development Authority,” the Deputy Mayor told the Daily Mirror.