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| Sunday, 15 January 2006 |
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Delay in
removing unauthorised hoardings : CMC Deputy Mayor expresses dismay by Ananda Kannangara Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Deputy Mayor Azath Salley on Friday highly criticized the decisions taken by several senior CMC officials which led to the delay of removing at least 900 unauthorised hoardings and billboards, displaying at prominent locations in the city of Colombo. It is said that a large number of such hoardings and billboards which are erected near schools have caused severe inconvenience to children moving in the vicinity. In an interview with the Sunday Observer, Deputy Mayor Salley said that these hoardings and billboards are a threat not only to schoolchildren, but also to the lives of other ordinary people travelling in vehicles and also pedestrians moving in close proximity. The Deputy Mayor is also of the view that some large size unsuitable billboards which pollute the minds of people, especially the schoolchildren, should be removed forthwith in order to preserve the cultural and religious values of younger generation. "When I brought this matter to the notice of President Mahinda Rajapakse, the Western Province Governor and also the Western Province Chief Minister, they vehemently supported my endeavour of keeping the city free of unauthorised hoardings and other unwanted structures," he said. "However I am surprised at the decision taken by the Colombo Municipal Commissioner to give time till to January 31 remove the hoardings after consulting with several big wigs of advertising firms," he said. The Deputy Mayor also said that he was compelled to take a decision of removing such unauthorised hoardings and billboards from prominent places in a bid to convert the heart of Colombo into an attractive location for locals and foreigners and also for the benefit of people walking in the vicinity. "However it is commendable that many advertising firms have already removed nearly 200 hoardings on the request of the CMC, but certain other firms who have close rapport with the top CMC officials have not so far positively responded to the CMC request. "Two advertising firms have also gone to Courts in this regard with the intention of displaying them at the same premises," he said. He also said he made a complaint to the Police for the displaying of four unauthorised billboards last week by certain firms at Park Road junction, near the Colombo Public Library and close to the Royal College, Colombo. Asked whether the advertisers are not permitted to display their
billboards and other advertising materials in the city, the Deputy Mayor
said that the advertisers will not be isolated and they will be provided
with suitable places to display their hoardings. |
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