President intervenes:

Justice for hawkers

* Sales complex on Bodhiraja Mw

* Interim allowance for hawkers

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the authorities to construct a sales complex on Bodhiraja Mawatha for pavement hawkers of Colombo as a solution to their problems.

President Rajapaksa instructed the authorities to complete its construction work within two weeks. During that period the pavement hawkers will be paid Rs 2,000 each per day.

President Rajapaksa gave these instructions at a meeting at Temple Trees Tuesday with the members of the Association of Self-employed Persons Pettah.

The meeting had been convened to discuss about the situation that followed the demolishing of unauthorized structures erected on the pavements in the Pettah and Fort areas.

President Rajapaksa instructed officers to take appropriate measures early to provide facilities for the hawkers to carry out their sales activities without disturbing the pedestrians and damaging the beauty of the city.

The President instructed the Police to pay special attention to protect the public.

The President pointed out that issuing special permits to suburban pavement hawkers would enable them to maintain their business activities in a formal manner and according to a specific administration process.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Governor Alavi Mowlana, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Senior DIG - Colombo Division K.P.P. Pathirana and Association of Self-employed Persons, Pettah Chairman Mahinda Kahandagama and other representatives participated.