Officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) have informed the Kandy District Coordinating Committee that more than one billion rupees is required to identify and remove 222 unauthorised constructions in Akurana town. The meeting was held at the Kandy District Secretariat Auditorium, co-chaired by Kandy District Coordinating Committee Chairpersons, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha and Central Province Governor Professor S.B.S. Abayakoon. Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatta and other officials also participated.

During the meeting, officials from the UDA, including Central Province Director Anura Madawala, informed about the progress regarding the removal of unauthorised structures in Akurana. They stated that 222 unauthorised constructions have been identified from the starting point of Akurana town up to the 7th-mile post. Out of these, notices have already been issued to 159 buildings to be removed. However, the UDA officials emphasised that the authority cannot bear the estimated cost of over Rs. 1 billion required for the demolition process, and therefore, the necessary funds must be provided by the government.

The Chairman of the Akurana Pradeshiya Sabha, Isthiquar Imadudeen, stated: “The District Coordinating Committee had previously decided to file legal action against 14 unauthorised buildings and informed the Pradeshiya Sabha. However, those 14 buildings have now been transferred to the Akurana Pradeshiya Sabha. Since the Sabha does not have the necessary financial strength or authority to carry out the demolition, the matter has been referred back to the UDA based on a council decision.”

Minister K.D. Lalkantha noted that a committee decision has to be taken to include the requirement of funds in the upcoming budget.

Member of Parliament Rauff Hakeem: “The situation in Akurana is a complex issue. In addition to the UDA, a collective programme involving the Land Reclamation Commission and the Irrigation Department should be implemented. They are the ones who knew exactly about the river reservations. No proper decision has been made regarding the Pinga Oya reservation yet. If we follow the current 40-foot rule, the entire Akurana town might disappear. This is a policy matter, and the UDA has the power to address it.”

State Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena: “We have discussed the Akurana town issue long enough. Reports have been taken multiple times. The problem is lack of implementation.”

Member of Parliament Riyas Farook: “While we talk about the old buildings, shouldn’t we stop new buildings being constructed? Now they are building right in the open. If we cannot take legal action even now, what kind of government is this?”

Anura Madawala (UDA Provincial Director): “The UDA does not have the power to issue a permanent prohibitory injunction against unauthorised constructions. If we had the ability to stop them during the initial phase, we could prevent this. We have requested to amend the sections of our Act related to unauthorised constructions. If those amendments are passed, we can stop this.”

The Coordinating Committee also decided to maintain the width of the canal running parallel to Akurana town at 40 feet.

By S.K. Samaranayake