|
I am a resident who suffered during the May 3/4 deluge due to the
inaction of the Municipal Authorities, including the Mayor to clean the
storm water drainage system.
I informed the relevant authorities in writing (by registered post)
in February 2007, a subsequent reminder (again by registered post) and
thereafter by personally meeting the officials during March 2007.
However no action or a reply to my request was received.
The storm water drainage channel, in my area is completely blocked as
residents dump garbage into the channel.
As a result of the blockage, I had to suffer extensive damages owing
to the storm water getting into the house during heavy rains, due to the
inadequacy of the usual 'water course' to take-in the inflow. The
authorities had plenty of lead-time to attend to cleaning the storm
water drainage system since I have informed them to clean the drainage
system in February well in advance of the rainy season.
In utter frustration of the conduct of the Municipal Authorities of
my residential area, I am seeking exposure through the media to expose
the corrupt practices carried out by the Municipality.
During the recent deluge, loss of human life, severe damage to
property and spread of deadly diseases due to contaminated environmental
conditions are being experienced.
Accordingly I hope that the contents of my letter would be an
eye-opener to the authorities concerned to initiate an investigative
process and take tough action against officials who neglect thier
duties, if they have a concern of the tax payer.
The Municipal engineer, deputy engineer and the work superintendents
report for work at 9.30 a.m. or later, whereas the municipal staff
should officially report for work at 8.30 a.m.
The technical personnel in the engineering department are not
contactable over the telephone as they are virtually out of their seats
even during the truncated hours of their on-duty period.
In this particular municipality, there is absolutely no response to
registered letters which I have sent informing the authorities to take
action regarding cleaning the storm water drainage systems, even though
instructions have gone to all employees in the levels of Central,
Provincial and Local Government authorities to reply letters from the
public within three days.
Having failed in this mode of communication, I have personally
visited the Municipal Council to meet the relevant officials to persuade
them into action. Though they seem to listen very attentively, and then
even very politely provide a telephone number to check the progress of
the complaint, getting the work attended to, is the exception rather
than the rule.
In fact serving the public, the rates payer is the furthest in the
minds of the staff. Perhaps a language they better understand is oiling
of their palms.
There is no contact number to report to the Municipality, things like
illegal construction, illegally raising the road levels, blocking or
interfering with the storm water drainage system, garbage dumping etc.,
during off-duty hours.
Such happenings usually take place during holidays or during
'week-ends' when the municipality is closed for business.
It is a known fact that the easiest route to get building plans
passed is to get the plan drawn by the technical officers of the
Municipality. The abuse leads to proliferation of buildings, which gets
built contravening the municipal building laws and regulations.
With the connivance of the Municipal employees, the storm water
drainage systems, particularly the underground ones, tend to get
connected with 'waste water' outlets and sewerage outlets of selfish and
irresponsible householders.
This is also a significant factor for the outcome of flash floods in
the city. Hence we wish to draw the serious attention of all concerned
authorities. The Government spends money on schemes for storm water
disposal but due to the sheer neglect of maintenance and supervision
they hardly serve the intended purpose.
Absence of maintenance plans and inspections have led to a situation
where the institutional knowledge with regard to location of such
schemes is very poor among the technical staff.
I am writing this letter in utter frustration of the conduct of the
Municipal Authorities of my residential area.
I very much appreciate, if some authoritative official (such as the
Secretary to the Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development
Authority, or the Public Ombudsman's office) could enlighten the
citizens of what punitive action could the public initiate against such
officials or elected representatives displaying sheer neglect of duties
and callous attitude towards the public requirements.
If required, myself being a senior public servant, I am willing to
share the documentary evidences to any high official or politician keen
on initiating a punitive process, if it will help to get the machinery
moving at this lethargic institution.
S. A. P. FERNANDO
---
The public drain at Gnanawimala Road, Dematagoda which runs upto the
lake adjoining the Petroleum Corporation, Kolonnawa behind the No. 65
Garden at Gnanawimala Road, Dematagoda Colombo 9 has not been cleaned
for the last 10-15 years, causing rain water flood into houses in No. 65
Garden, putting residents into great inconvenience.
Although several requests have been made to the Municipality, no
action has been taken so far.
M. K. ARIYADASA,
Kadawatha
-----
I write in support of the Daily News Editor in publishing the letters
about the appearance of Malinga. One Dayan Jayatilleka has taken
objection (Reference DN May 12) to a reader expressing his views on
Malinga's appearance.
I strongly believe that what the Daily News has done is right and
there is nothing wrong in discussing an issue such as the appearance of
our cricketers, who, afterall are our ambassadors abroad.
For the information of Dayan de Silva, I must mention that this
debate has been raging elsewhere too, with Malinga admitting on
Rupavahini that even his parents objected to his hair style, body
piercing and tattoos.
The readers have a right to discuss public issues and congratulations
to the Editor of the Daily News for allowing such a debate. The letters
have also shown that Sri Lanka is a tolerant society where there can be
debate on issues. It is still not a dictatorship, despite the likes of
Dayan de Silva trying to make it one.
Congratulations Editor Daily News.
SUNIL MENDIS,
Colombo 5
--
I agree with Dayan Jayatilleka. (Reference DN May 12). How did we
become so intolerant, why can't we accept the prowess and the
intelligence of Lankans.
Why do we always criticise our people. We say the West discriminates.
Look around and you will see how they accept changes to liberate
society.
We discriminate our own people. I think it is high time whatever the
religions we observe to teach the young to admire our citizens and not
to moan on trivia.
Take a lesson from France. They were able to elect a Hungarian
immigrant's son as their President. We have to love the differences and
respect the ability of our people, that should be our culture.
K. S. GUNASEKERA,
via email
---
The public servants who need housing more than all others are Medical
Officers, who are seven day 24 hour workers, required to be at work
places during prescribed hours, be 'on call' the rest of the day and
attend on urgent cases within 15 minutes of intimation of admission.
Thus having to travel several times daily to their places of work, at
their own expense (Refernece DN May 09).
With all this, they have to keep abreast of new knowledge and
procedures in medicine.
The lack of basic affordable accomodation in the vicinity of their
workplaces has compelled many to migrate.
DAS SAMUEL,
via email |
