| The Weeping Willow trees that have lined Independence Avenue for more than 25 years are to be chopped down to accommodate local Na-trees, considered our national tree, Colombo Municipal Council Commissioer Badrani Jayawardena told the Sunday Times.
Ms. Jayawardena said the willows of foreign origin were to be replaced with Na-trees according to a plan of the Urban Development Authority (UDA).
“A few Na-trees were planted three years ago but the willows absorbed most of the water and the Na-trees were deprived of sun light. The willows were trimmed but it was unsuccessful,” she said.
She said the UDA was in-charge of the city’s landscape and architecture and the Independence Square area was under going a facelift.
On Friday passers-by were horrified when they saw the familiar willow trees being chopped down. Some of them asked whether this was a case of extending a sense of misguided nationalism to trees too.
President promulgates Emergency Regulations for dissolved local bodies
By Chandani Kirinde
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has promulgated Emergency Regulations to bring the administrations of 15 Municipal Councils (MCs), two Urban Councils (UCs) and five Pradeshiya Sabhas (PSs), to which elections are to be held in October, under the Divisional Secretaries of the respective areas.
The term of the elected officials of these local authorities ceased to exist with effect from last Wednesday, under the Emergency (Administration of Local Authorities) Regulations.
However, the Dehiwela-Mt. Lavinia MC, the Matale MC, the Kandy MC, the Hambantota UC and the Kandy Gravets and Gangawata Korale PS will be administered by the Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners of Local Government of the respective provinces.
Among the MCs, to which elections will be held in the third phase of the Local Authorities polls, will be the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), to which elections were last held in 2006, and have since been mostly under the administration of a Special Commissioner. Colombo returns the largest numbers of members of a Local Authority, numbering 59 - 53 elected, six nominated.
The Dehiwela-Mt. Lavinia, Kotte and Moratuwa MCs too will elect new representatives, along with local authorities in 12 others districts.
Nominations in respect of these elections will commence on August 18 and close on August 25. Elections Department officials said the date of the poll will be announced after nominations close.
Meanwhile, the Elections Department has announced the deposit to be paid as by those seeking to contest the elections.
Those contesting Colombo will pay the highest in deposit of Rs. 14,750, while the lowest amount of Rs 1,750 will be paid by those contesting for the Suriyawewa PS in the Hambantota District, which returns only seven members.
Kandy to get new look
under UDA programme
Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed that the proposed new development plan for Kandy be implemented soon after the conclusion of the Esala Perahera.
The directive was given early this week when Mr. Rajapaksa met with officials in Kandy where the proposed plans were discussed in detail.
According to the plan, directives were given to improve Kandy city in a manner similar to the way Colombo city was being developed. This includes the beautification of the city, removal of unauthorised structures and providing additional facilities to the public.
About 150 shops will be relocated within the city. Unauthorised houses too will be removed under this plan.
Orders were given to the police to remove cut-outs and banners as well.
Under the plan, orders were given to reduce congestion within the city by reducing the number of vehicles entering the city, while providing facilities for pedestrians to get about without hindrance.
As per the plan, orders were given to widen pavements and repaint buildings.
Officials also told to ensure that the city’s period architecture should be protected and maintained.
Only long-distance buses will be permitted to remain halted for brief periods within the town, while all local services will have to drop the passengers and leave immediately.
The area around the Kandy lake will be developed as a picnic area where people can walk around as well as relax.
The project will come under the purview of the UDA, which is under the Defence Ministry.
Opposition MPs to
clamour for their
legitimate allocations
Decentralised Budget Fund
By Damith Wickremasekera
The UNP and the DNA will stage a protest in Parliament later this month seeking the intervention of Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to obtain speedily the amount due to their Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Decentralised Budget Fund.
Each MP is entitled to five million rupees annually from the Decentralised Budget Fund to carry put development work in their respective districts but this year’s allocations have not been made so far, UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayaka said.
“We usually receive the money by April but this year no money has been allocated to our MPs,” Mr. Attanayaka said.
Instead Opposition members have received a letter from the Ministry of Economic Development asking them to forward details of the projects they wish to carry out in their areas prior to the money being allocated.
DNA MP Anura Dissanayaka said that they had been assured that the monies would be given to them by this month but this has not happened. “Our privileges have been violated by this action. The Government is now trying to stifle our protests by making false promises about giving the money,” he said.
Police awareness
programmes in
vicinity of expressway
By Gamini Mahadura
The Traffic Police Division has commenced a series of awareness programmes for villagers around the Southern Expressway on how to avoid accidents.
The picture above shows police personnel demonstrating a simulated accident, at the Pinnaduwa access road in Galle, to educate the public.
The Highway is due to be opened next month.
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| The expressway close to Kalutara |
Making Preethipura a safe place for a swim
By Sarath Chinthaka
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| Dalton Janaka Suriyabandara |
Nimal Lanza |
Preethipura, a well-know beach resort in Hendala, on the south-east coast and north of Colombo, attracts hundreds every day, including families and tourists. The crowds peak during the weekends and during the holiday season.
However, Preethipura, which lacks safety measures, such as trained lifeguards, is also notorious for drownings.
At least two drownings are reported every year.
Western Provincial Council member Dalton Janaka Suriyabandara has initiated the building of a breakwater so that people can safely swim or take a dip in the sea.
Western Provincial Council Minister Nimal Lanza has extended his support to make Preethipura a safe and attractive beach resort.
Benches have been introduced to the Preethipura beach for the comfort of visitors.
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| The breakwater (above) and (below)
benches on the beach |
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Boiler explodes: One killed, 2 injured
By Palitha Ariyawansa from Badulla
Three workers were killed and two injured in an explosion that occurred at the Demodara tea factory in Badulla yesterday.
One worker with severe injuries was admitted to the Badulla General Hospital while the other was admitted to Demodara Hospital.
A boiler at the factory exploded when the workers were loading wood into it, the Sunday Times learns. |
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