Secretary to the Urban Development and Housing Ministry W.S. Sathyananda said yesterday that steps will be taken to immediately remove all unauthorised constructions that cause flooding in Colombo and its suburbs. He said that the Cabinet has also approved the issuance of a circular for the removal of unauthorised constructions and this circular will be given to all the state institutions within the next two weeks.
He said this while participating in the media briefing held at the Government Information Department organised to raise awareness about the ‘Wetland Link International Asia-Oceania Conference’ to be held in Sri Lanka from June 17 to 21 at Diyasaru Park in Battaramulla.
Sathyananda said that floods can be controlled by conserving the existing wetlands in Colombo city and suburbs. The blocking of small waterways and side drains in the Colombo metropolitan area and suburbs has been identified as the main cause of flooding.
New laws are going to be enacted to control the destruction of wetlands, including illegal construction, he added. Discussions are ongoing to create a consensus to implement these policies including the conservation of wetlands, protection of wetlands, the protection of the biodiversity associated with wetlands, the creation of balance in the environment, and the implementation of these policies as a model country for facing the global challenges against the environment. Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC) Chairman Hiran Balasuriya said that the SLLDC is taking the maximum measures that can be taken under the existing rules and regulations to control the anti-environmental activities related to wetlands.
“We also hope to enforce the maximum law against persons who destroy wetlands. It is a difficult task for us as an organisation to go it alone in carrying out the programme of wetland protection. For that, the support of the people of this country is needed. Many environmental problems can be solved through conserving the wetlands. Wetlands also help in flood control as it has 39 percent more water retention capacity. Many programmes have been organised to give strength to the economy by using wetlands for tourism,” he said.
He said that the SLLDC, Urban Development Authority (UDA), Irrigation Department, Provincial Irrigation Department and local authorities are jointly implementing various projects related to flood control in Colombo city and its suburbs.
The SLLDC is implementing seven special projects to reduce flooding in Colombo and its surrounding areas.
The seven projects include the improvement of water supply systems out of Colombo, Urban Landscaping Project, Palangastuduwa Pumping Station Project, Flood Control Facility Implementation and Maintenance Project including Rainwater Pumping Station and Flood Gates, the implementation and maintenance of facilities established for integrated flood management systems and real-time control data centres, the drainage improvement project of the Piliyandala Master Development Plan, and the drainage and environmental improvement programme of the Battaramulla catchment area.
Two projects including the drainage improvement project of the Piliyandala Master Development Plan and the drainage and environmental improvement programme of the Battaramulla catchment area are expected to be completed this year.
The estimated cost for these projects is Rs. 203 million. In addition, he said that the project to upgrade the existing pumping station in Peliyagoda will also be completed this year.
Madiwela South Diversion is diverting the storm water from an area of approximately 14 square km of the upper catchment of Parliament Lake into the Weras Ganga and has been operational since 2019. The design work for the installation of the proposed Gate Mounted Pumps at Kalu Bridge is underway from the year 2021 and both these projects are scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.
The Government has spent Rs. 1 million and Rs. 9 million respectively for these projects. Along with these projects, the maintenance and renovation of Colombo canals is also being done with the aim of reducing floods. Since invasive plants like Japan Jabara and Salvinia are grown in the canals, there is a programme to remove them, including polythene and solid waste. The canals are cleaned using human labour and machinery. The SLLDC also operates a programme for maintenance and renovation of main canals and bunds in Colombo. Accordingly, 44 kilometres of Colombo’s main canals are maintained by this institution. The amount allocated for this project is Rs. 295 million.
Accordingly, the maintenance of canals of Kalu Oya, conservation of canal banks adjacent to the main canal, preparation of new banks, maintenance of Lunawa Canal, maintenance of Lunawa Lagoon, maintenance of Old Dutch Canal and related water intakes are done under this project. SLLDC Hiran Balasuriya, SLLDC Deputy General Manager (Wetland Management) Dr. L.S. Wijeratne, Western Province Tourism Board Chairman Sugathhewa and SLLDC Environmentalist Ranushi Siripala participated.
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