Is this unauthorised filling?

By Hiranthi Fernando

This is the acute problem that the residents of Nuwarawatte Place, Nawala are facing. Their woes are caused by unauthorised filling of a marsh which served as a water retention area. The marsh at the end of the lane is occupied by a number of squatters and some houses. A small cement brick-making industry and a car repair outfit have also sprung up without any authority.

The residents claimed that between the end of Nuwarawatte Place and the marshland was a small pathway. The squatters had brought tractorloads of rubble and widened it to enable vehicular movements. The road has blocked the outlets for storm water and waste water. 

"In addition, about ten years ago, all the water that came down the main Nawala-Nugegoda Road, was diverted by a culvert across the main road, and down Nuwarawatte Place," a member of the Nuwarawatte Housing and Welfare Society added. 

"When it rains, all the water from the main road, flows down Nuwarawatte Place. The storm water does not flow into the marsh due to the filling. Even for a moderate shower, the houses at the end of the lane get flooded," he said. 

This means sleepless nights when it rains. A heavy shower could mean they have to shift their furniture and other goods to prevent them being ruined by the rising water. 

"We have appealed to the Kotte Municipal Council, the Land Reclamation and Development Corporation, the Central Environmental Authority and the Urban Development Authority. But they all pass the buck to the other and disclaim any liability. The Land Reclamation people say that filling is done with the knowledge and connivance of officials of other departments," another resident said.

According to the residents, a few months ago the Land Reclamation and Development Corporation tried to cut a canal from Heen Ela, 100 yards away, across the marsh to connect it with this area to prevent heavy flooding. "They worked for two days but stopped before completing the task," one resident said. 

"We were informed that the work was stopped on the instructions of the Minister of Housing and Urban Development," he said.

When The Sunday Times visited the site on Monday, the canal had been closed up again.

The disgruntled residents said that last week, the five outlets taking water from the lane to the marsh were completely blocked, leaving only one partially open. "In an attempt to block that too, tractorloads of earth were dumped near the remaining outlet. That very evening, the waste water had risen so high that the gardens of the houses at the end of the lane were full of water. After an urgent request made to the Minister, he directed Land Reclamation officers to clear the partially blocked outlet. The officers were at first reluctant to act unless they had police protection. 

They appeared to be afraid of thugs who had interest in the land and who enjoyed political patronage. They cleared the mouth of the outlet and retreated. Now the waste water has settled but the drains are still half full. If there is rain, there is bound to be flooding," a disgusted resident said.

The residents say they had no problem until the recent unauthorised filling of the marsh. "It is our right. Our waste water and storm water diverted from the main road should be allowed to flow freely. All we are asking is to have proper culverts and outlets to avert flooding. We have been complaining to the authorities for the past ten years, but nothing has happened," he said. 

Kotte Mayor Chandra de Silva, who inspected the area last week, when contacted by People's Forum promised that drains would be built along Nuwarawatte Place within two months. 

The Mayor said the marshland in question belonged to the State and no-one was authorised to fill it. Asked why the Kotte MC was not taking any action against the unauthorised filling, he said it was up to the SLLRDC to take action since it had the provision to do so.

The SLLRDC chairman has promised, meanwhile, to send a team of officials to inspect the area and see what could be done. 

When complaints of this nature are made, the SLLRDC warns the offending parties and if the warning is not heeded, it takes legal action against them, he said. For the residents of Nuwarawatte Place, this is welcome news.

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