CMC should intervene to provide parking facilities at reasonable rates

by Ananda KANNANGARA

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Some vehicle owners who come to the city daily are aware that some private vehicle park operators charge a high levy from vehicle owners. They say that this is very unfair and the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) or any other authority should immediately look into this matter.

When theSunday Observer interviewed some vehicle owners, General Manager of a State owned industrial organisation in Kollupitiya, Vishva Chanmugam said.

“I park my vehicle from 8.30 am to 6 pm everyday and they charge Rs. 40 for the first two hours and thereafter an additional amount of

Rs. 30 for each half an hour”.

“As there was no alternative, I have to spend nearly Rs. 400 a day and I hope the CMC immediately direct the park owner to stop this unfair charges.

School Principal, Leslie Punchihewa of Avissawella said that there were many State owned bare lands in and around the city of Colombo and urged the authorities to convert them into vehicle parks.

“Then they can charge vehicle owners, a reasonable amount and prevent the private vehicle park owners from earning a fast buck from helpless vehicle owners”.

Director of a Shipping Company, Kumarasiri Lekamwasam blamed the Urban Development Authority for charging Rs. 20 an hour and also additional charges for the remaining hours at their car park, at

D. R. Wijewardene Mawatha, opposite Lake House.

He said earlier they charged Rs. 20 a day, but, being a State land the present charges are highly unreasonable.

He also said the park instead of providing better facilities offers only a shoddy service since it is full of potholes and it is also difficult to park vehicles during rainy days.

School van owner, Sandamali Kusumalatha said she transports children from Nittambuwa in the morning and park the van in a vehicle park at Pettah for only six hours.

“The charges are exorbitant compared to the pittance I get from children and therefore I urge the CMC to look into this and grant a relief in respect of all school vans, parking in the city car parks, considering the service they provide to schoolchildren.

Chartered Accountant, Ralph Bultjens blamed the CMC for not taking any action against private vehicle park owners for charging exorbitant amounts even for parking for merely half an hour.

He urged the Western Provincial Governor to look into this problem.

A University Professor, Dayan Gallage welcomed the decision taken by the Police not to park vehicles by the wayside other than in vehicle parks for security reasons. The advantage of this decision has gone to private vehicle parks operators. “Therefore, I urge the CMC to direct private vehicle park owners to charge Rs. 20 for the first three hours or Rs. 50 for the whole day,” he said.

A Secretary of a Ministry, Mihiri Chandratilaka said she normally parks her vehicle in a State owned car park at Bambalapitiya and said that they charge Rs. 120 as the parking fee for seven hours.

S. Dilshed said that there were many bare lands at temple and church premises in the city and requested the owners of such lands to allow people to park their vehicles, charging a reasonable amount.

“In that way the proposal will help these religious places too”.

He said even at this juncture a temple at Timbirigasyaya has allowed vehicle owners to park their vehicles in the temple premises free. Dileep Dias asked the CMC to instruct all State owned vehicle parks to charge a fixed fee levy from vehicle owners.

Ex. Assistant Superintendent of Police, Nishantha Saparamadu wanted the Government and the Police to intervene in this matter and allow only State institutions to maintain vehicle parks for the benefit of the public.

Housewife, Chitrangani Munaweera of Ratnapura also requested the Government not to allow private sector to maintain vehicle parks and instruct officials of Government vehicle parks to charge a reasonable amount.

University Lecturer, Senaka Salgado of Wattala wanted the State authorities to set up more vehicle parks, out of the city limits.

“There are bare lands outside the city of Colombo and why can’t the Government convert them into car parks and charge a reasonable amount”. G. Hettiarachchi said that there were 16 private car parks in the city of Colombo and the charges vary from park to park. Therefore, I hope the CMC will look into this and take suitable measures so that all such parks charge the same amount.

He also asked the Government not to allow the private sector to maintain car parks.Yasasi Nihatamani wanted the CMC to set up their own car parks in State owned bare lands, situated within city limits.

She also requested the authorities not to charge more than Rs. 20 a day from vehicle owners.

Pix: Vipula AMARASINGHE