Kandy Times

Though plans were drawn for the upliftment of Potthapitiya village in the electoral district of Yatinuwara, none of them have materialised, much to the disappointment of its villagers.

Situated on the Kandy-Pilimathalawa road via Danture and nestling close to the Alagalla Estate, the envisaged plans for Potthapitiya would have improved the life of peasants who are mostly estate workers.

There is no proper building at the bus stand or basic facilities for the commuters. Though the Pradeshiya Sabha had earmarked an area for a trade complex and a board to that effect was prominently displayed, work of any kind remains yet to be done. Even the proposed weekly pola remains a mere dream confined to plans only, residents said.

Partly erected structures overgrown with weeds, tell a pathetic story while commuters wait for hours for transport sans a building with a roof as cover when it rains. There are no toilet facilities either.

Years ago, this town was to be improved according to a plan drawn up by the Kandy Town Planning Unit, but they too remain only promises.

Rate payers in the meantime complained that the local council only collects taxes and they blame it all on the Provincial Council which too does not delve into the problems of the Poththapitiya residents.

W.A.N. Gunaratne of the Yatinuwara Provincial Council said the number of buses that enter the bus stand was over 50, as against the 10 or 15 some years ago. No improvements had been made since, resulting in congestion and inconvenience to commuters. He added that a foundation stone was laid, way back in 1999, for the construction of a trade complex and this matter has now been brought to the notice of Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa.

There is environmental pollution too, as garbage disposal is non-existent, and residents dumping their garbage in the stream, thus arresting its smooth flow. About 300 estate workers still rough it out in line rooms of colonial vintage. No ministerial attention has been paid to the village, with only false promises during the hustings, said villagers who blamed the Yatinuwara Pradeshiya Sabha for the mess.