Mt Lavinia residents’ calls responded to by authorities
Some good eventually, happens. After complaints by the Mount Lavinia Residents Association over unauthorised constructions, government agencies conducted a survey of potential violators in the area on Monday.
Following the Business Times report highlighting the association’s issue in its Sunday edition, Enforcement Division officials from the Urban Development Authority (UDA) accompanied by Sri Lanka Army Liaison Officers, designated to assist the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development, made an assessment of those who have violated UDA building regulations in the Dehiwala Mount Lavinia Municipal area.
This survey which began at 10 am from the entrance to Mount Lavinia Hotel saw these officials visiting Lilian Avenue, Mount Avenue, Simon Abeywickrama Avenue, Cross Road, De Saram Road, off De Saram Road, Hotel Road, De Alwis Avenue, Samudra Mawatha and Beach Road. They found that none of the developers had displayed building plans and building permits at the building sites as required by the law. “The errant developers were asked to be present at the UDA on the morning of July 5 with building plans and permits for inspection by the UDA officials,” a resident told the Business Times.
Some developers, especially Blue Ocean had put up billboards on properties advertising complexes with as much as 15 floors and there were developers who had exceeded the number of floors for which approval had been granted such as Blue Ocean Apartment complex at 19, Barnes Avenue.
Around 40 residents who gathered at the Ivory Inn on De Saram Road met with the UDA/ military liaison team and discussed their problems vis-a-vis unplanned apartment complexes coming up in the area. “There was structural damage to surrounding houses, severe traffic congestion at school opening and closing times, loss of water pressure, dumping of garbage, developers working late into the night on their construction sites and disturbing the neighbourhoods,” the resident said.
Most workers at these sites were from the Northern Province and did not speak Sinhala or English and there was a communication problem. “There’s an increase in crime in the area especially robberies where some construction workers are allegedly involved,” another resident added.
While the officials assured the residents that a full report of their observations will be presented to Chairman UDA and Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development, the residents urged the team to take action against errant developers and protect Mount Lavinia by passing regulations to make it a heritage cum tourist town in view of its history, ancient buildings and quaint café’s and pubs, the Golden Mile Beach which is the only accessible beach for residents of Colombo and suburbs. To be informed about the developments in the area please go to www.facebook.com/savemountlavinia