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| Sunday, 19 September 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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CMC big wigs cross swords over demolitions by Anton Nonis A work program started by Colombo Municipal Council's (CMC) acting Mayor, Azath Salley last Friday to demolish unauthorised structures and constructions put up by the roadside within the city limits, ended abruptly when the municipal commissioner crossed swords with Salley while the work was in progress. Municipal Commissioner, Dr. Jayantha Liyanage stepped out to the field and ordered the municipal staff and workers to stop work and return to the municipality. All municipal lorries and other machinery too were withdrawn. Acting Mayor, Salley said, demolition began early morning, Friday within the municipal limits. All police stations in the city provided security, supervised by 39 police officials. When the work gained momentum, CMC commissioner, Dr.Jayantha Liyanage interfered, around 11.45 a.m. and ordered the workers to stop demolitions and called off the work. Salley said, intervention of Liyanage was purely an act of sabotage. He had felt this even before, and had sought permission of the Western provincial council to go ahead with the task. Unauthorised structures had posed a severe obstruction to the day- to-day activities in the city, had urged the municipal authorities to clear up the obstacles. Commissioner, Dr. Liyanage said that Mr. Salley's work was strange as no prior notice was given about demolition. He said, those who were victimised, had protested against CMC's demolition stunt. The commissioner went on saying that this was not the time for such activity by the CMC when the people had to face severe hardships in their day-to-day living. "I see the whole program irregular and undemocratic," Dr.Liyanage said. |
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