Negombo will be converted into a modern city - Former Negombo Mayor

By P. Krishnaswamy

With polls to the remaining 23 local government bodies round the corner, the Sunday Observer interviewed M.E.Herman Bernad Kurera, the ex-Mayor of Negombo, a cosmopolitan city and a picturesque tourist destination popularly known as 'Little Rome'.

Kurera, the son of Bernad Kurera, a close political associate of SLFP founder-leader S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike and the one to start the party in Negombo, said that as a member of the Council for two terms and as Mayor for two years he has implemented many projects for the development of the city and well-being of the local multi-racial and multi-religious communities, devoid of corruption and partiality.

He outlined many development projects that have been implemented and are under implementation.He also said that he is not contesting the upcoming polls because he wants to give a chance to young and upcoming politicians but will remain in active politics, coordinating with Ministries on the welfare of the people and on development activities for the people.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: As Mayor of Negombo what were the major problems that you encountered with regard to the welfare of the local communities?

A: I became the Mayor of Negombo two years ago after my predecessor Nimal Lanza contested the PC polls, won and became the Minister in the Western PC. The first major problem that I encountered was the mosquito menace and Dengue that had assumed epidemic proportions in the city. Under my guidance and in association with the health authorities and the staff we started combined efforts to eradicate the mosquito menace and as a result, the situation was brought under control. I am happy to say that in the current year only two deaths and 36 Dengue patients have been reported upto now. We formed special consultative committees and vigilant committees in the affected areas and conducted programs on educating the people.

Q: Can you please tell us about the important development programs for the city ?

A: Some of the major programs include the New Bus Terminal, the Courts complex, the Rajapaksa Park, the sports complex, the massive Mangrove Project for fish breeding and the project for producing bio-gas.

The new bus terminal will be commissioned before the LG polls and all contractors have been requested to complete the construction of all buildings before the end of this month. Other projects under implementation include the improvement of the drainage system since some parts of the city get flooded during rains. A major part of this problem has been successfully addressed with the implementation of better drainage system. But more work has to be done and more programs are under consideration. Under the Annual Performance Management Competition conducted by the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils, the Negombo MC was selected the best in the Western Province last year and the year before. This year too we are expecting to be selected as the best. Our performance in eradicating the Dengue mosquito menace too has been adjudged the best at a seminar conducted by the Defence Secretary recently.

Most of the time our beaches are full of tourists. As such we have set up special committees of well-trained personnel to monitor the beaches and ensure the security of the tourists. We have appointed special committees to address sanitary and health problems too.

We maintain good relations with owners of tourist hotels and the associations of hotel owners and we periodically hold consultative meetings with them to know their views and address their problems.

The other major project that is under way is the Hamilton Canal (Dutch Canal) rehabilitation project. The Rs.329 ml project is funded by the Japanese Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) through the Ministry of Tourism.

A Fisher men's Wharf, also funded by the JBIC through the Ministry of Tourism is to be implemented. In the wharf the fishermen can sell their catch of fish clean and fresh.

Beautification of the city is under way. We have already carpeted six roads in the city which go through the tourism zone. When I was a council member I took the initiative to plant 10,000 mangrove plants for fish breeding and those have now grown up posing a magnificent sight. The private company that undertook to do the work on Rajapaksa Children's Park had violated the terms of the Contract Agreement and the matter is now before the Court. But we have started to develop the adjoining area as a Park with financial assistance from the Western Provincial Council.

A bio-gas project has been launched at the Don Bosco Tsunami Housing project in Ethugala and power is being provided to a few houses from that project.

Q: There have been various accusations about the unjust manner in which shops in the Bus Terminal complex have been given on rent. Your comments on it please?

A: Those are baseless accusations. We do everything under the existing rules and regulations governing the MC administration. My hands are clean. I have always stood against corruption and malpractices. I have been honest in all dealings which have always been transparent. The people too know that.

Q: The present location of the fish market causes traffic jam and congestion in the city. Is the MC doing anything about it?

A: We are going to build a jetty so that vehicles can easily load and unload and this will avert the traffic jam and congestion. All vehicles that come to the fish market can load and unload in the proposed jetty. This will be implemented soon.

Q: The stalls and buildings in the Sunday Fair which attracts a huge crowd continue to remain in the same dilapidated condition for several years. Has the MC drawn up any plans to modernise it?

A: We have already done the plans and estimates on modernising the Sunday Fair. Our plans on modernising the Sunday Fair with new buildings and all modern facilities will be implemented in the near future. The UDA will do the work. A larger number of people will benefit from the fair. My sincere gratitude goes to Economic Development Minister and Gampaha District Party Chief Organiser Basil Rajapaksa. He extended the maximum support and assistance by providing the funds to develop Negombo as a tourist destination.

He has already prepared a Master Plan for transforming Negombo as a modern metropolitan city. He also gave Rs.60 ml for completing the New Bus Terminal project. The new bus terminal will have many facilities including a shopping complex. The third floor of the bus terminal will have an auditorium which can accommodate about 500 persons.

Q: Is the MC administration also involved in activities to promote religious and racial harmony among the different communities in the city?

A: We are having very good relations with all religious leaders and leaders of the communities. We have formed advisory committees with their participation . So far we have had no problems and all are living in harmony. I do not think there will be any problems in the future too.

Q: In your view is the Council generating adequate funds to implement development projects ?

A: In Negombo we have started many programs for infrastructure development which include rehabilitation and construction of roads, water supply, garbage disposal and other activities. The funds we are getting from taxes is not enough. In this respect I am thankful to Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Deputy Minister and party organiser Sarath Kumara Gunaratne and Provincial Minister Nimal Lanza who have extended all assistance and funds for implementing development programs.

They have rendered a yeoman services to improve the fisheries and tourism industries and also to improve the infrastructure.

Q: Many local government bodies in the country have found it difficult to adequately address the drinking water problem of the people. Do you have any plans to address the problems of people in Negombo?

A: Providing drinking water to everyone was a major problem encountered by the Negombo MC. People in places like Thalahena, Poruwa, Poruthotta, Kommanthurai, Dalupotha and Kattuwa faced an acute drinking water problem. But we have now started to implement a program under which families in all areas will get good drinking water.

The work is in progress. The Water Board has started installing pipelines and constructing drains. The entire population of Negombo will get clean drinking water once this project is completed. The project was a combined initiative and effort of several political leaders. Former Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was instrumental in getting drinking water to Negombo. Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne, former Mayor and Provincial Council Minister Nimal Lanza have also contributed immensely for making the project a success. The project will be implemented in a phased manner and everyone will get drinking water.

Q: Why have you not been nominated as the mayoral candidate in the upcoming elections to the council?

A: I am not contesting the polls because I now want to give place to the young politicians. But I will be in active politics. I will be a party organiser and I will coordinate with the relevant Ministries with regard to the welfare of the people of Negombo.

Q: Why has the party not nominated a Mayoral candidate ?

A: We have not nominated a mayoral canadidate. But anyone who gets the highest preferential votes has the chance of becoming the mayor.