Business community wants flood control plan

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

Freak rains last week were dreadful to the country. The business community was not spared by the inclement weather which resulted in a colossal loss of money.

Production and timely delivery was hampered by poor attendance and loss of man-hours on inundated roads. The death toll had risen to 18 and thousands of families were displaced.

Businessmen said the impact could have been mitigated if a comprehensive flood control plan was implemented throughout the country.

Chairman Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council, Rohan Masakorala said the garment industry incurred a substantial loss as many factories in the Western province did not function.

“The apparel industry would suffer if no proper plan is implemented to improve the infrastructure and manage logistics”, he said.

Vice President Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka, Amal Goonetilleke said the rains and flooding were a hassle to tourists and hotel operators but steps were taken to minimise the impact of the problem.

“The IIFA awards next month in Colombo will not be affected by a similar situation as Asians are accustomed to facing adverse weather conditions”, she said.

“The Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa has drawn up a plan for the city and the Association is confident that tourism will rebounce”, Goonetilleke said.

Chairman Ceylon National Chamber of Industries, Newton Wickramasuriya said a comprehensive flood control plan for Colombo and suburbs is essential to avert a crisis of this nature.

“Unauthorised constructions and filling of land are the primary reasons for flooding. The Chamber welcomes the steps taken by the government to stop illegal constructions and filling of land. Immediate Past President, Womens’ Chamber of Commerce, Rizani Aziz said the recent flooding of the city and many suburbs were due to the lack of accountability and transparency in managing the road network.

“The business community could be mobilised to manage cities but those responsible should initiate a sustainable and long-term plan to maintain the infrastructure”, Aziz said. Chairman, Cey-Nor Foundation, Rohan Jayasinghe said a civic conscious society has to be created to be more responsible in the use of common utilities. “People must make good use of their land and not turn it into a dumping ground for garbage and accumulation of rain water.