UDA gives car park 'slipshod' facelift

by Ananda Kannangara

Motorists who last week thanked the Urban Development Authority (UDA) for the prompt action taken to renovate the public vehicle park at the D. R. Wijewardene Mawatha, opposite 'Lake House', following a news item that had appeared in the 'Sunday Observer'.

It was reported that a large number of motorists including foreign nationals had earlier complained to UDA higher officials and the Colombo Municipal Council officials about the deplorable state of the vehicle park.

However, the 'Sunday Observer' last week took time to listen to the woes of several motorists as well as car park attendants, to receive further complaints even after the renovation work carried out by the UDA.

A director of the courier service company, Hemalal Jayasiriwardene said even after recent renovations, the park still has potholes and mounds of earth strewn around. "Motorists must still find it risky while negotiating inside the park because of potholes and therefore I request higher-ups to make an on-the-spot examination," he said.

An executive at a private computer firm, Gayan Mahatantila suggest to authorities to put up a Lak Sathosa outlet, a snack bar and a vegetable outlet inside the park, for the convenience of motorists. Further, a trishaw driver Nilan Issadeen suggests a make-shift motor garage to attend to minor mechanical problems.