UDA to check on legality of Kalutara lodge building

The Urban Development Authority (UDA) yesterday began an investigation to ascertain whether the five-storey building in Kalutara, where the death of the 16 years old girl was reported, was built in conformity with the required standards.

UDA Chairman Nimesh Herath directed the head of the UDA office in Kalutara conduct a comprehensive investigation into the building and hand over the relevant report today (12).

The UDA Chairman said that once he receives report, it will be referred to Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, after which future action is expected to be taken.

If by chance, the relevant building has not been built according to proper standards or in an unauthorized manner, there is a possibility of taking legal action against the owner of the said building, the UDA Chairman said.

The five-storey lodge relevant to the death of the school girl has been built in a very narrow area in Kalutara city. When constructing such a building, there are several organizations from which permission and advice should be obtained compulsorily. At the same time, an essential task to be carried out is certifying the standards of building materials used for the construction, scientifically, he said.

He is of the view that an approval needs to be obtained first from the respective Local Government body, when constructing a building. Accordingly, the plan of the plot of land, house or building has to be submitted and subsequently the basic plan relevant to the construction has to be presented either to the UDA or relevant Local Government institution and approval obtained, he said.