Point of view :
Selling Galle Face green
by K. Arvind
The recent judgement of the Supreme Court "the Galle Face Green
should be maintained as a public utility. The necessary resources for
this purpose should be made available by the Govt. of Sri Lanka" is a
victory for the people against the scheming might of big business. The
Green has been an emotional part of the citizens of Colombo from the
time Sir Henry Ward dedicated it to the public.
It has remained an essential land mark of Colombo since. A popular
place for horse riding from the British colonial era till the late
1940s, it has since become the favourite "haunt' for walkers, joggers
and other health enthusiasts.
It is the venue of important political rallies. Major political
parties hold their May Day rallies here. Among those who have addressed
the people of Colombo from the Green are the immortal Mahathma Gandhi
and Pandit Jawarlal Nehru.
In contemporary times, it has become the venue of events connected
with pop music where the young in their tens of thousands gather in this
favourite meeting place of the people. It is the equivalent of the great
squares in many countries where crowds in the many thousands assemble
for important political announcements and events - reminiscent of
Trafalgar Square in Landon turned the drab and hot 'powerless' days into
days of pleasant memory. In a good day from late noon children are
brought here to play, fly kites and have fun.
It is also the romantic rendezvous of courting couples. To the men,
women and children living in cramped ghettoes in the working class areas
of Colombo the Green provides much relief, entertainment and fun.
In recent years, several food courts have appeared here catering to
hundreds of the gourmet inclined. To the religiously faithful, the Green
is the venue of annual prayer and meetings.
No wonder citizens of Colombo were shocked when told an influential
and resourceful business group had come into agreement with the UDA in
2003 for the virtual 'sale' of this common man's property.
Here was the insensitive madness of the greed flowing from
'privatization' in full gallop where the commonwealth of an entire
society was put on sale - sadly with the knowledge and blessings of
those at the helm of affairs. If the deal went through successfully, the
right now enjoyed by the public to free access to the Green could have
been denied. They would have been called to pay to the new owners not
only to walk in the green but to breathe as well, now that many head to
the Green also "for a breath of fresh air".
Fortunately, the proverbial knight in shining armour (in this case
two knights) appeared to defend the people of Colombo. The Supreme
Court, before whom the matter went, came to the rescue of the people by
setting aside the Agreement between the UDA and the potential buyers.
Though NGOs have come into much flak in recent times, it is thanks to
the relentless campaign and dedication of a responsible NGO -
Environmental Foundation Ltd - the interests of the citizens of Colombo
were preserved. In the guise of privatization and liberalization of
'loss making' or 'non-performing assets' it is possible many other
valuable assets of the nation may engage the rapacious attention of
financial predators.
It is only public vigilance activists, a benevolent judiciary and
alert media that will stand in their way to protect the wider interests
of the people. |
