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The Kandy ‘night martket’ on the Daladha Veediya
A scene from the night market
Members of the Kandy Municipal Council are up in arms against the ‘night market’ organized by the Central Provincial Council.
Opening the subject for discussion at the monthly meeting of the Kandy Municipal Council held on Thursday, Councillor Roshan Gunaskera said, though he was not a Buddhist, he was totally opposed to the holding of the “night market” held on Dalada Veediya.
He added the night market held at this particular venue was totally unbecoming of the grandeur and heritage of the ancient city of Kandy.
Mayor of Kandy, Mr. Kesera Senanayake said it was only when he arrived at the site of the night market, that he realised the road had been blocked.
Blocking off the road in this manner, he said, was against the rules and regulations which governed the municipality.
He added that even before this particular night market commenced, he had pointed out that the former Chief Minister too had attempted to hold a ‘night bazar’ at a the same venue and it had proved to be a complete failure.
The Mayor said he has been informed that permission to stop traffic on this road, had not been obtained from the RDA.
He emphasised that he had informed the organisers that they should wait until October when the open space at the car park is completed for them to hold a night market if they wanted.
Councilors were also shown a video clip of scenes at the night market. On viewing the clip, the councillors agreed that the night market took away the dignity of a Heritage City.
Councilors alleged the sale of beef at Kotugodella Veediya, in front of Kataragama Devalaya was sacrilegious.
When the Sunday Times contacted the Basnayake Nilame of Kataragama Devale -Gamunu Walisundera- he said , after he took office of the Basnayake Nilame of Kataragama Devale, he had even removed a ‘night kade’ in front of the Devale, despite it having been in existence for over 45 years.
He vociferously condemned the sale of beef opposite the Devale at the ‘night market’ which was held recently.
Another councillor said, ‘if an event of this nature was to have been organised, the organisers should have first sought approval from to the Kandy Municipal authorities. This procedure had not been followed, he said.