No eviction of tenement dwellers - President

Rasika SOMARATHNA

President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday said that the government had no intention of evicting tenement dwellers from Colombo city but was focused on providing them with better living conditions.

He emphasised that the government was intent on providing a more livable environment for the permanent city residents within their communities in the form of residential units with all infrastructure and other facilities.

He noted that canards spread by the UNP to the contrary, to gain petty political mileage, would not fool the masses.

President Rajapaksa was addressing UPFA candidates contesting the forthcoming polls from Colombo and other party activists and residents from the city.

He observed that the UNP had become a party without unity and discipline today as they had resorted to mislead the masses with canards to cover up their political bankruptcy.

Emphasising plans to beautify the city and meet the needs of the people the President stated: “The government’s intention is not only to beautify the city but also to keep city dwellers content and happy”.

He also noted that he has advised officials to present to the people, plans to construct residential units and obtain their consent and suggestions before going ahead.

The President said that irrespective of differences the Colombo city belonged to all and urged the gathering to work in unity to ensure victory for the UPFA at the forthcoming polls. Mayoral candidate Milinda Moragoda speaking on the occasion said that the party was in the process of identifying areas that need improvement to make Colombo a centre of excellence.

He said that his visits to various parts of the city had given him a reasonable understanding on the needs of the Colombo residents.

He vowed to usher a clean and efficient administration to promote the wishes of Colombo residents irrespective of differences.

Moragoda in his 12 point programme to develop the city stated that the CMC would take concrete steps in conjunction with state agencies to provide better living conditions for tenement dwellers.

He stated that there is absolutely no reason that the squalor and hazardous environments that have been part and parcel of the lives of these citizens be passed on to the next generation. Moragoda said that alternative residential facilities will be provided within Colombo city limits.

“As a first step, two model residential units are to be constructed for those living in these areas. Within three years 35,000 housing units are to be built,” he said.