Colombo to be made city of haves - Wimal

Nethali Struys

There is no truth in UNP claims, of low income families who are living in underprivileged settlements in Colombo being driven away from the city. Colombo is to be transformed into a city of haves, Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa told the Daily News.

He said that Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim people who are living in underprivileged settlements will be moved to quality apartments within the city itself.

The government has no intention of driving these innocent people out, Weerawansa said.

"The government's main aim is to uplift the living standards of these communities providing a better environment for the children and pursuing the development of Colombo city," the minister said.

These communities are playing a major role in developing the Colombo city, the minister said. He pointed out that if these communities are moved, the-day-to-day activities of the city will be disrupted.

"Although some political parties are in favour of maintaining these families as they are, to gain political benefits, the government has different views," he said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is of the view of that the slum community are a group that should be provided facilities and should be given a better living standard and recognition in the community, the minister said. "The government is working towards this vision. The government strongly believes that people in the Colombo Municipal Council will understand this and provide their support for a UPFA victory which will help in the development activities in the Colombo city," he added.