Dehiwela builder warned by authorities, but carries on
View(s):It is appalling how some individuals and companies blatantly violate government regulations. In recent months it has escalated at an alarming level.
This is probably because there is no clear policy or no one to enforce the law properly. Or at best nobody really cares.
The latest case in point is a building being constructed at Aponso Avenue, Dehiwela.
Some 32 residents of this road had made appeals to all relevant authorities possible but nothing has come into effect. A resident at Aponso Avenue, Dehiwela told the Business Times that sometime ago they had made an appeal to the Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, Champika Ranawaka, the Chairman – Urban Development Authority (UDA), Mayor – Dehiwela Mount Lavinia Municipal Council and the Municipal Commissioner regarding a nine storeyed building being constructed by a developer at premises number 28 at Aponso Avenue.
“So far nothing positive has happened to our appeals. The Dehiwela – Mount Lavinia Municipal Council Mayor had along with a ward member thrice visited the building site.” The resident said that the Mayor had requested the builder to stop work and to see him in his office with an approved plan and other documents. But the builder has not gone to see the Mayor, and they are carrying on with constructing the building, he added.
Meanwhile, the residents had received a letter from the Director Enforcement, UDA stating that approval has been granted to build a building with a ground floor and six more floors (G + 6) in May 2017, whereas the Dehiwela – Mount Municipal Council had approved a plan for G + 8 for the same building on November 16, 2017.
The resident stressed that for buildings down this road, the rules and regulations of the relevant local authorities and UDA is that a builder cannot build more than four floors. “So it should be ground and three more floors (G + 3) only.” He said that residents won’t give up their fight.
An alarming statistic is that the Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia Municipality has more than 4,000 unauthorised structures. Authorities say that those in power during the last regime had made billions during their tenure with such construction approvals.