By
Chrishanthi Christopher

With the Wanathamulla residents getting redress last week, another group of people in Colombo who are facing fresh threats of being evicted from their homes, lodged complaints with the Human Rights Commission, yesterday. Around 30 families living in Colombage Mawatha, Kirulapone, and around 60 families from Bakery Watte, Narahenpita, who face eviction from their homes,handed over their complaints to the Human Rights Commission.

Sources told Ceylon Today that,the Urban Development Authority (UDA), in afresh drive to secure land in its efforts to beautify Colombo, had turned its attention to the lands in Kirulapone and Narahenpita.Convener, Kirulapone/Narahenpita Housing Protection Society, Hemantha Weerakone,speaking to Ceylon Today, said the residents of these areas had been asked to go from their homes, and had been offered new apartments in Wanathamulla.

The residents said officers from the UDA had gone from house to house, demanding that they leave their homes immediately or to face the repercussions.

He said the residents of these two areas had been living in their present houses for more than 50 years, and the homes are spacious. “The apartments they are offering as an alternative house are tiny, and in addition, the residents are being asked to pay for them,” he alleged.

Weerakone also said the residents are not against development but are not ready to pay Rs100,000 in advance,and a rent of Rs 3,960 for 20 years, as demanded by the UDA.
“These people have worked hard, and have built their homes with their sweat andtoil, and they are not ready to give up their life’s savings,” Weerakone said.

COURTESY:CEYLON TODAY