Dirty Deeds Surface In Meethotamulla

Text and pictures

by Ashanthi Warunasuriya

• The Meethotamulla residents who lost their houses are facing many issues in obtaining alternative housing from the government
• Some of the residents had agreed to the housing provided by the government, others were reluctant to accept them
• There are allegations that some residents had fraudulently produced several tax bills claiming that there were several houses on their lands

The Meethotamulla residents who lost their houses to the garbage dump are today, facing many issues in obtaining alternative housing from the government. The Sunday Leader found that while some of the residents had agreed to the housing provided by the government, others were reluctant to accept them.

The Megapolis and Western Development Ministry states that 51 houses had been given to the residents of Daham Pura 23 Watte, 101 Watte Wimalaramaya and Meethotamulla J. B. Road. However, around 301 families are still residing in temporary shelters. Accordingly, the displaced are being housed in over 30 houses in the Laksanda Sewana housing complex.

There are allegations that some residents had fraudulently produced several tax bills claiming that there were several houses on their lands and obtained several houses from the government. These residents had got these fraudulent documentation after the collapse of the garbage mountain in Meethotamulla.

While the government was enthusiastically trying to resettle those affected, and did not scrutinise their documentation so stringently, some unscrupulous residents took the opportunity to take advantage of the situation. However, by the actions of some of these residents, others who deserved to get housing are still left in temporary shelters having been deprived of the opportunity. Under these circumstances, even the Government Agents and Divisional Secretaries should have been more vigilant and conducted proper analysis prior to handing over the houses.
For those who lived in dilapidated or sub-standard houses, it was a bonus to receive new houses from the government. For others who lived in houses of greater value, some have accepted the government housing but others are still waiting to receive the valuation reports for their houses. Some have already received the Rs. 250,000 compensation while others are still to receive the compensation. There is no way the lives that were lost can be replaced, but they wait in anticipation for what they will receive as compensation.  Some of the displaced families were housed at Terrence College, but with the reopening of schools they are to be shifted to a building in the Paddy storage facility. This facility has been modified to temporarily house them while they have to share common toilet facilities and water. The displaced residents have protested profusely to being shifted to this facility.
In this tragedy 32 lives were lost while 82 houses were completely destroyed. Still there is no definite record of those missing and the operations are still in force. In addition another 189 houses have been identified as being in danger of collapse.

In 2012 due to dumping of garbage to the Pothuvil paddy field, around 100 houses adjacent to the Meethotamulla garbage dump were destroyed and several other houses had to be vacated and the residents were resettled at the ‘Sudu Nelum’ housing complex. Although the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) had promised them compensation, for over three years the residents were not paid any compensation, but during the previous elections they were provided alternative housing at the “Sudu Nelum” housing complex. However, some residents complain that the houses provided were not spacious enough for them and want the government to pay them compensation for the houses that were destroyed.

There are issues regarding those who faced the tragedy in 2012. The government has so far not provided solutions to many who were resettled at ‘Laksanda Sevana’ housing complex while they have still not received compensation for the loss of their houses due to the garbage facility. Hence the residents have also appealed regarding their plight. Due to the garbage recycling facility, the houses in Dahampura ended up with cracks and some collapsed. The government then decided to remove all the houses from that area. However, among those houses were complete and well equipped houses as well. So far these householders have yet not received fair evaluation for their houses nor have they received alternative housing as compensation. Most of these residents have been residing there for generations. Among them were those who had been living there since 1970. They too have still not received any response from the government. While talking to these residents, it is clear that they are faced with many difficulties but all that the government has done so far is just patch up the situation without a concrete solution. Therefore the government now needs to offer these people definite solutions and resolve their grievances.

The residents who were resettled in the housing complex have already destroyed their surroundings being there barely three days. There are beetle stains all over the place and due to carelessness the surrounding area is dirty already. The residents should bear in mind that this is where they are residing and take measures to keep their surroundings clean and tidy. In addition there are also cracks that have appeared on the walls.

Meanwhile many of whom we spoke to said they are watching the Meethotamulla issue and in the event another garbage issue arises they are willing to take action against it.

The area of Sinhapura Meko, Kolonnawa Sala Mulla, Laksanda Housing Complex and surrounding area was renowned as a drug and ganja den. It is reported that these activities still continue in these areas. Hence we expect the authorities to take measures to curb this menace.

Meanwhile expressing his view with regard to the resettling of the displaced from the Meethotamulla tragedy, and the distribution of 98 houses to the victims, Colombo District MP S. M. Marikkar said the Treasury had provided Rs. 4 million for the ‘Mandawila’ housing scheme while the UDA had only given houses estimated at Rs. 2 million. He alleged that as such the UDA had cheated Rs. 196 million.

 

 

Expressing his views on the ongoing trash issue, Provincial Council member Susil Kidelpitiya said, “Finding who is responsible for dumping garbage on 20 acres of land while permission was only granted to temporarily dump garbage on 2 acres in 2008, will not resolve the issue.

The garbage collected from each area is the responsibility of the provincial councils.

According to the 13th Amendment o the 1987 Constitution, the Local Government bodies are controlled by the Provincial Councils.

The Western Province passed the 1999 no. 9 garbage management declaration to assist in the waste management of the  Local Government bodies. Hence they should have facilitated this process.

The Central government had to provide the funds and hand over to the various institutions.

However due to corruption fraud and unwarranted political interference a proper policy could not be adopted. I demand that the government streamline the waste management process”.

 

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Former Kolonnawa Urban Council Chairman Ravindra Udaya Shantha denied claims he had obtained bribes and commissions for the Meethotamulla garbage dump.
Why did the Meethotamulla garbage issue escalate?

No government was interested in resolving the garbage issue. We continuously fought to resolve this. About a week prior to the tragedy, on March 27, it was almost by force that we evacuated 8 families who were in danger and temporarily gave them money and removed them from that place. Due to that around 40 people’s lives were saved. Even when the people refused to move, we scolded them and forced them to evacuate.

There are times that sometimes we have to be stern. I for one have spent my own money for the people at times. Had the Local Government bodies acted instantly, we could have handled this crisis situation in a better and more efficient manner. Even in the past many projects were proposed but nothing got off the ground. I feel that some solution could have been implemented in order to resolve the garbage issue. Some front liners in the fight against the garbage dump, eventually gave up the fight for political gains.

Did you receive money from the Meethotamulla garbage dump?

If I had taken bribes and commissions, I won’t have to live like this today. Sometimes I get into debt being unable to handle the children’s schooling needs. I challenge those who are alleging that I took money to come and debate this face-to-face. It is those who are leveling allegations that took money to even talk about the garbage issue.

Whose fault is it?

It is the fault of the CMC. They made money out of the garbage issue. Also due to the police controlling the situation, many were given commissions. Many people survived by the garbage dump. As for me I have even got into debt over this garbage dump. I urge the authorities to now be fair by the people who have suffered due to this issue and pay them compensation and help them get their lives back on track.
Why has your name been coined with the drug business?

I ask those who make these claims to confront me. We worked against the drug menace. I have never robbed or taken any commissions. If I had such money I would not have to get into debt in order to survive. Anyone can scrutinise my income details, I am not scared. I have sold my property and assets in order to help others. In return I have received many awards as well. I won the first prize for productivity in 2012-2013. Some make various allegations against me due to personal reasons. Recently, a private media channel attacked me relentlessly. My response to those who make these allegations against me is to come directly and confront me. Those who do wrong in politics will be destroyed by politics.

 

Did you have a rift with former MP Duminda Silva?

No, I never had any issue with him then or now. In fact I feel sorry for his current plight.

Then what about former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa?

No. They listened to others and got the wrong people to flock around them. That was their downfall.

Why did you decide to leave politics?

I spoke relentlessly about this garbage issue but never received a favourable response. Their attitudes will never change. The leaders of a righteous society should act impartially, but in our country many of the leaders pay heed to gossip and fibs of tale carriers. It is the rogues that rule this land. Therefore instead of engaging in this dirty politics, I’d rather be involved in social service and stay away from politics. I have endured enough disgrace and insults. I am satisfied with my actions and what I have done for the people. That is enough for me.