Nuwara Eliya Municipal Commissioner yesterday said that arrangements will be made to take into custody of the Municipal Council, properties of those who have not paid their rates for a period of three years from 2020-2022 within purview of the Municipal Council.
An officer of the income division of the Council, said that persons occupying houses, shops, tourist hotels and lands in areas belonging to the Nuwara Eliya MC limits who should have paid rates from quarter to quarter, have not done so based on various reasons. He said the Nuwara Eliya MC is owed Rs.80 million in rates during the period of those three years.
By displaying red notices stating that properties of persons who have defaulted in paying ratesintentionally will be prohibited within this week according to powers assigned to the MC, in several places in the Nuwara Eliya city and handing out pamphlets to those who have not paid assessment taxes, the public and businessmen are warned, Municipal Commissioner Sujeewa Bodhimanna said.
Expressing their views on this matter, businessmen and the public said that they were unable to pay rates and taxes to the MC due to various problems that arose during those three years as a result of the disastrous situation due to COVID and economic difficulties they had to face.They also said that if the MC took over their properties due to non-payment of rates and taxes, they who are in the midst of many economic difficulties will fall from the frying pan into the fire.
Nuwara Eliya Mayor and Finance Committee Chairman Lal Karunaratne said he understands the economic difficulties and problems facing the public and businessmen and if they inform him in writing of those complications, he would discuss the issue with all factions and take steps to provide a grace period to pay the unpaid rates and taxes.
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