Over 1000 permanent houses for shanty dwellers

By Ananda Kannangara

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The Urban Development Authority (UDA) yesterday said that over 1000 permanent houses are under construction at the Railway yard, Dematagoda, to be given to residents of Station Passage, Glennie Passage and Garden Stuart Street of Kompannaweediya before the end of March next year.

UDA Director General Prasanna Silva yesterday told the Sunday Observer that all families who had lost their unauthorised dwellings at Kompannaweediya, following the demolition of structures have already been provided with `transit homes’ (temporary houses) at Mattakkuliya.

The demolition was carried out by the Police on Friday on a directive by the Urban Development Authority (UDA).

Silva added that those who had constructed unauthorised houses on Glennie Passage or in any other areas in Colombo cannot blame the UDA or the Government, since they were informed of demolition seven days ago and therefore to shift to transit homes at Mattakkuliya.

“According to construction estimates, a permanent house at Dematagoda, will cost over one million rupees,” he said.

Meanwhile, R.M. Sahabdeen, one of the victims told the Sunday Observer that it was very unfair by the Police to evacuate thousands of residents including children, forcibly with the help of UDA officials from their homes at short notice.

“We are aware that this was done due to the forthcoming SAARC conference but they should have done it after providing us with permanent houses”.

Meanwhile, a group of residents have handed over a petition to the High Commissioner for India.

“We are also confident that President Rajapaksa will look into our grievances and will make arrangements to provide us with permeant shelter as early as possible,”.

“Some UDA officials smashed our furniture, kitchen utensils, caused damage to electrical and other valuable items, in the presence of the Police, before we tried to shift them to safer places,” complained a 58-year old resident Nimalsiri Fernando.

The Supreme Court on Friday issued a stay order on the eviction of residents and the demolition of their houses.