People returning to vulnerable areas: Governor

People who were living in landslide vulnerable areas are returning to their original homes despite being relocated in new and safer areas, said Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa. In an interview with Kandy Times the Governor also said the council was not allowing people to settle in certain areas.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: The threat of landslides and earth slips has been a major problem in the Central Province. What has the Provincial Council (PC) done to minimize the threats?

A: Last year we experienced very bad earthslips and landslides. Padiyapelella, Walapone, Kandy Municipal Council area and Peradeniya were affected. We are not allowing people to settle in areas prone to landslides.

Q: How does the PC handle the involvement of the local authorities such as Pradeshiya Sabhas, Urban Councils and Municipal Councils in implementing these actions?

A: We have instructed the local authorities not to approve buildings in areas prone to landslides and instructed the Divisional Secretaries to see if there are any such cases. However, even in the past, people who were relocated in areas which were not vulnerable to landslides have returned to their former houses later on.

Q: Though PCs are supposed to develop hospitals, the Health Ministry is taking over the hospitals controlled by the PC saying they are not being maintained properly. Why cannot PCs develop and maintain hospitals properly?

A: The funds PCs have presently are not sufficient to develop and improve hospital facilities to the level of even our own expectations and to the standards required from a hospital. But still, we spend 48 per cent of our funds on health.

Q: Has the Treasury reduced the funds of the PCs making them unable to maintain hospitals properly?

A: No. there is no cutting down of funds as such. But, normally in June, we are asked by the Treasury to slow down on our expenditure. But by September we get the green light to go ahead with our projects and complete them. Every year the Treasury puts constraints but there is no drastic fund cutting to stop projects.

Q: There is an argument that the work of PCs is overlapping with that of the local councils. Do you subscribe to this view?

A: Every one of us has only one objective and one commitment and that is to supply the best possible service to the public in each local authority in the Province. So, if the local authorities are not fulfilling the aspirations of the people, we direct them to give the expected service to the public without getting fully involved in their activities. Besides, the local authorities depend on the PCc for funding.

We provide 90 per cent of their funds. So, we have a right to put them on the right track if they are heading in a wrong direction

Q: In any case the local bodies control their respective areas and the PCs have no jurisdiction over them?

A: Yes. There are certain things the local authorities are responsible for, over which PCs have no authority. The traffic problem in Kandy is one example. But I cannot comment about the situation as the inquiries regarding the traffic issue are pending. However, I believe that the one-way system on William Gopallawa Mawatha and Old Peradeniya Road is the best traffic system for Kandy.

Q: What has the PC been able to do during the past year for the Central Province?

A: We started shifting the administrative city to Pallekele from the heritage city in Kandy. The administrative block of the Kandy PC is situated in Pallekele and we are moving Bogambara Prison there as well. So, gradually, the town will be moved out from the heritage city. We started a project to preserve the Kandy lake and make it a more tourist attraction.

A: The Kandy-Colombo highway would be started next year. We are planning to open a Kandy Lake Fund with the involvement of the private sector to develop the Lake.

We want to make Kandy the prime destination of tourists in Sri Lanka, so we plan to preserve the lake and beautify it for tourists. The Pallekele sports stadium would be completed by next year.We have prepared plans to restore the three battle grounds in Gannoruwa, Balana Fort and Danture where the British were kept at bay until 1815.