Though provision has to be made for a parking area in building plans for commercial buildings, the Central Bank in Colombo has failed to adhere to this provision adding to the congestion on the roads.

Despite the need for parking, the Central Bank located in the city centre not only eliminated the parking facility in the restructured building, but also failed to have the required parking space in the newly constructed 16 storey building.

According to the Central Bank Governor A.S. Jayawardena, the proposed parking area was not built owing to security reasons. "As the proposed vehicle park was within the building at mezzanine level it was considered a serious security threat and these floors were re-designed as office space" he said.

The bank's original building had a parking capacity for 133 vehicles. But when the building was restructured following the bomb blast in 1996, the parking area was done away with.

Moreover, the initial plan for the new building included a three-level parking area. However, this plan had allegedly been changed by the Central Bank authorities and the new building constructed with provision for just six parking slots to be used only by the senior officers of the bank.

According to the Colombo Municipal Council, the initial plan for the new building had provision for 139 parking slots. But the CMC's Planning Committee refused to approve the plan as there was a shortage of a further 114 slots.

The Central Bank authorities were informed by the CMC's Planning Committee to pay Rs. 13,680,000 at the rate of Rs. 120,000 per slot as a service charge for the shortage of slots. But this payment was not made. Instead, the Central Bank negotiated with the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and took on lease a land opposite the Hilton Hotel to fulfil its parking requirement.

Satisfied with the arrangement between the Central Bank and the UDA, the CMC's Planning Committee issued the building permit in 1998. The Certificate of Completion was also issued as the leased land fulfilled the requirements for parking space.

The UDA had leased out the land for over Rs. 100 million on a 99-year conditional lease. Accordingly, the Central Bank is expected to develop it into a car park, failing which alternative action may be taken by the UDA. Meanwhile the Central Bank is in the process of finalising its plans to develop the leased land into a car park.

The land is to be developed into a multi-storeyed car park, which can accommodate 400-500 vehicles. The Bank claims that the park would be for its exclusive use, but The Sunday Times learns that the lease agreement lays down the condition that it be developed both for its use and as a public parking spot.

According to Mr. Jayawardena, the Bank leased the UDA land to build a multi- storeyed car park for its exclusive use. The conditions of the lease are that it must conform architecturally to the UDA's master plan for development of Colombo Fort and the height of buildings should not exceed five storeys.

The leased land was among three areas ear-marked by the UDA to be developed as public parking spaces, The Sunday Times learns. Though three parking areas were identified, the project never got off the ground owing to the lack of funds.

The absence of parking space in the premises of the Central Bank has not only inconvenienced its officers but also its clients. The new building has an international conference hall, but there is no parking facility for invitees.

Moreover, during monthly meetings of representatives of commercial banks held at the Central Bank, arrangements are made for a shuttle bus service to operate to and from the parking spot to the bank, owing to the long distance. In some instances, visitors to the bank are dropped off near the Ceylon Continental Hotel or near the clock tower while their cars are parked at either the UDA land or at the World Trade Centre premises.

The Central Bank pays Rs. 105,000 per month for the use of 35 covered parking slots at the World Trade Centre. Though there had been a proposal to use the space at the Mercantile Credit building opposite the Central Bank to fulfil its parking requirement, that suggestion had been rejected.

Officials at the City Traffic branch in Colombo admit that the lack of parking places in the area has contributed to congestion and is a serious problem. They say the provision of parking space by every commercial organisation will reduce parking problems and adds that the CMC should be stricter in approving building plans. The unavailability of parking spots has forced the public to park vehicles on or near pavements, increasing congestion.

If the land opposite the Hilton Hotel had been developed as a public vehicle park congestion in that area would have been greatly reduced. However, questions are being raised at the failure of a prime building like the Central Bank situated in the heart of Colombo not having parking space that is obviously essential.

US confirms ST report
The United States Embassy in Colombo has confirmed last week's The Sunday Time's report that an Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) will be signed between the US and Sri Lanka.

Pointing out that the agreement has not yet been concluded, an embassy statement said, "The ACSA is, as its name implies, an agreement that allows the armed services of each party to the agreement to avail itself of servicing, repairs, spare parts and equipment of the other in exchange for payment or through the exchange of identical goods or goods of equivalent value. For instance, an American naval vessel might take on fuel in Colombo harbour in exchange for cash or for spare parts or other equipment of equal value needed by the Sri Lankan armed forces".

Dengue rides again in Colombo amidst public apathy
By Faraza Farook
With the onset of monsoon rain, dengue is on the rise again in Colombo with at least 28 cases being reported last month while health authorities complain that the public are not cooperating in fighting the epidemic.

Colombo's chief medical officer Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam said Colombo East and Wellawatte were the worst affected and teams had visited several areas for dengue prevention and eradication campaigns. But cooperation was lacking, especially in housing schemes where the houses had now been sold to the families and a very few appeared to be concerned about the common responsibility of keeping the surroundings clean, he said.

Despite announcements of inspection made both on Friday and yesterday, the Department of Public Health received little support when its teams visited a number of areas yesterday.

At the Housing scheme at Polhengoda Road, the absence of an outlet to let out rain water has added to the collection of water conducive for mosquito breeding. Yesterday, the Department's team visited housing schemes and houses at Stanmore Crescent, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Jawatte Road, Pajet Road, Police flats, Kasiappa Road, Sulaiman Terrace, Siripa Lane, Fife Road and Chithra Lane.

Anderson Flats and flats at Elvitigala Mawatha, Manning Town, and Torrington and the Polhengoda Garden Housing Scheme were inspected the previous week.
Leaflets on the prevention of dengue have been distributed to occupants while seven-day notices have been issued to some to clean their surroundings. Inspected areas were fogged with malathion and vessels lying around were also collected.

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