Confusion over illegal structures in Colombo

Confusion over the permits of most of the structures considered to be ‘unauthorised’ within the Colombo Municipal limits has prevented the Urban Development Ministry from demolishing them.

Ministry Secretary Dr. D. Ramunujam said though some of the buildings considered to be unathorised have been earmarked for demolition, permits produced by the owners from the CMC have prevented the Ministry from going ahead with its original plan to destroy the buildings or take legal action against the owners.

Dr. Ramunujam said though building owners produced permits issued to them by the CMC, the permits appeared to be spurious.

“We are in the process of examining this and clear the present confusion,” he said.

A cabinet appointed committee headed by Urban Development Minister Dinesh Gunewardene is at present overlooking the development aspect of the Colombo city.

The Bottom Line learns that when the UDA moved into take action against unathorised structures, non-cabinet Labour Minister Mervyn Silva had objected to this.

Meanwhile, it is also learnt that most of the owners of the unathorised structures are in possession of permits issued by the CMC that are not legal.