Rajagiriya canal blocked due to illegal constructions block canal in Rajagiriya

COLOMBO (NEws 1st) - A canal flowing through the U.E Perera Mawatha and Arunodhaya Mawatha in Rajagiriya has been blocked due to illegal constructions in the area that were put up several years ago. A number of environmental issues have also cropped up due to the illegal constructions. Municipal Council employees refuse to clean the canal as a result of the illegal constructions. Speaking to the media Mayor of Kotte Madura Vithanage stated that there are illegal settlements all around Colombo and it is the same in Kotte. He added that in some areas the number of people living in one square kilometer of land has tripled. Vithanage noted that it is easy to demolish the illegal constructions, but it is more important that the MC provides alternative locations for these residents to live in. The Mayor noted that they have identified 37 families residing in illegal constructions adding that steps are being taken to provide housing for them in Dematagoda.