President orders halt to second phase of Baseline road project

Rohan Mathes

Considering the inconvenience caused to the residents of the area, President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday ordered the relevant officials to stop the construction of the 7.5 km stretch of the roadway between Kirulapone and Ratmalana Maliban Junction, with immediate effect.

This decision was taken by President Rajapaksa, following a special meeting he had at Temple Trees, with a group representing those inconvenienced and displaced, by the loss of their house and property, due to the construction of the said roadway.

The construction of the proposed Baseline Roadway from Kelani bridge to Ratmalana had been decided in 1990. Although its first phase, from Kelani bridge to Kirulapone was completed, its second phase from Kirulapone to Ratmalana Maliban Junction had confronted diverse problems and temporarily suspended. Over 550 houses had to be demolished to implement the second phase.

Despite having several rounds of talks with the successive Governments and the relevant Ministers pertaining to the issue within the past 16 years, no relief has still been granted in the form of re-settlement or compensation, to those families affected.

Taking cognisance of the problems faced by the residents and the alternative routes available for the purpose, President Rajapaksa has directed the officials to stop the project with immediate effect and divert the roadway from Kirulapone to Horana, via Colombo instead.

The President also directed the officials to utilise State lands at every available opportunity, in order to minimise losses and inconvenience to the people. He also pointed out the advantages of having a close rapport and a liaison with the relevant institutions when implementing development projects of this nature, to mitigate the losses and damages caused to the general public.

Those representing the people of Balapokuna, Atthidiya, Kalubowila, Nedimala among others, were full of praise for the President whom they said was pragmatic and prudent.

Ministers T.B. Ekanayake, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Highways Ministry Secretary S. Amerasekera and President’s Additional Secretary Gamini Senerath among others participating at these discussions.