Committee to probe grievances of affected city dwellers

The Government has received cabinet approval to appoint a three-member committee to look into the removal of 68,000 families from the city of Colombo by the previous Ministry of Defence and Urban Development under the metro beautification projects.

The Cabinet has approved the Minister's proposal and has decided to appoint another committee comprising three ministers to monitor the investigative committee to ensure that it is appropriately functioning in addressing the grievances of the affected parties.

Minister Ravi Karunanayake, State Minister Mrs. Rosy Senanayake and Deputy Minister Eran Wickramaratne will comprise the monitoring committee.

The Minister of Urban Development and Water Supply and Drainage Rauf Hakeem has proposed to appoint a committee comprising officials of the relevant institutions to investigate the injustices that have been caused in resettlement and rehabilitation, to make recommendations and to expedite payment of compensation to the affected people. The then Ministry of Defence and Urban Development under the previous government, as a part of a survey carried out in 2010 on Metro Rehabilitation Project and other activities of the Colombo City Development, has started to remove 68,000 families with less- facilities from their original habitats and settle them in various other places.

RJ