News
After the floods, Kolonnawa and other Colombo suburbs come under the microscope
View(s):- Committee looks into unauthorised structures including warehouses and container yards built on filled land
By Sandun Jayawardana
A committee comprising officials from the Urban Development Authority (UDA), Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC), Department of Irrigation and Department of Agrarian Development has been appointed to conduct a study to identify locations in Colombo and suburbs where unauthorised constructions have contributed to flooding.
Once the study has been completed to identify where water flow has been obstructed and by what structures, action will be taken to remove those structures, the UDA’s Director General Prasad Ranaweera told the Sunday Times.
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- The recent floods in Kolonnawa saw many people affected. Pix by Eshan Fernando
He said areas from downwards Hanwella to Kaduwela and Kolonnawa have been identified already as critical areas that are prone to flooding. Mr Ranaweera noted that there is an extensive canal network in these areas. Unfortunately, they have been blocked in places due to unauthorised constructions. Many places in the canals have been illegally filled to construct unauthorised buildings, sometimes as high as three or four storeys.
Areas such as Kolonnawa, Kotikawatta and Mulleriyawa also have most of the warehouses and container yards in the Colombo region. Many have been built on illegally filled up land, which has also contributed to flooding, according to the UDA.
Data provided by the UDA on land-use in the Kolonnawa area reveal that the amount of land being utilised for warehouses/utilities has risen significantly over the past 14 years. While warehouses/utilities had been spread over 32.25 hectares in 2008, by 2022, this had risen to 108.3 hectares. The amount of water bodies meanwhile has decreased from 56.76 hectares in 2008 to 28.5 hectares in 2022. Marshy and wetland areas too have decreased from 44.23 hectares in 2008 to 22.5 hectares in 2022.
Kolonnawa, which is the largest town that’s closest to Colombo is an extremely critical area. The town has a population of about 135, 000 belonging to between 30, 000 to 40, 000 families. Many live in areas prone to flooding. Mr Ranaweera said there are many elevated areas within the Kolonnawa Urban Council limits that aren’t prone to flooding. “We can have high-density housing in these areas, but we first need to build the necessary infrastructure so that the people can relocate.”
He emphasised that there needed to be a long-term plan when relocating residents. Providing schools for children is one critical aspect. Other necessities such as providing market facilities are also being looked into.
Water bodies comprised 9.73% of the Kolonnawa UC’s land area in 2022. Meanwhile, marshy and wetlands accounted for 5.41%.
Once authorities can dredge and clear the canal network and connect them and ensure a smooth water flow, the area can be built up a lot better, the UDA’s DG further said.
The first task would be to identify specific locations on either side of the Kelani River which have been blocked and clear those areas of illegal constructions, the UDA DG stressed.
While the UDA can draft a plan, the assistance of other agencies such as the SLLDC, Irrigation Department and the Agrarian Development Department will provide the necessary technical advice on how to proceed with the implementation, said Mr Ranaweera.
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