News
Site of Meethotamulla garbage dump being converted into Rs 1.7 billion modern park – Dr Godahewa
By Saman Indrajith
State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Public Sanitation Dr. Nalaka Godahewa told Parliament yesterday that the site of the Meethotamulla garbage dump would be converted into a modern urban park at an estimated cost of Rs 1.7 billion.
The work on the urban park is scheduled to be completed in 2022 and 2023, the minister said.
Responding to a question raised by Colombo District SJB MP S.M. Marikkar, the Minister said that the Meethotamulla garbage dump had been 47 metres high and occupied a land encompassing 21 acres. The area was being reclaimed in a scientific manner under the guidelines of the experts of the National Building Research Organisation. The dump would first be reduced to 15 acres and a height of 30 metres. A slope of 20 to 30 minute angle would be maintained during the preliminary operations. Debris of the 2017 disaster are being removed and canals nearby are being cleaned. An underground pipe system is being laid to remove the leachate. Eight of 31 landfill gas wells are being constructed to release the gas coming out of the dump and prevent another landslide there. Families of the nearby 101 Watte would be relocated at the Kolonnawa Condominium being constructed. A treatment plant would be set up to purify the water coming from the dump.”
MP Marikkara:
It seems that the work process is slow. Since you are a minister who goes around all the places in the district inspecting the work of government institutions why don’t you think it would be better if you made an inspection tour there?
Minister Dr Godahewa:
I have already visited the site and given necessary instructions. The project will be completed on schedule.
MP Marikkar:
Is it true that some of the areas of the urban park would be given to the private sector?
Minister Dr Godahewa:
The Urban Development Authority is providing funds but we thought of inviting investors. Since you are from the area, you can ask the investors known to you to join the project.”
Members of the Civil Security Department have donated a day’s salary to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, which was established to restore livelihoods and rebuild the country following the devastation caused by cyclone Ditwah.
Accordingly, a cheque amounting to Rs. 40,870,686 was handed over on Thursday (22) at the Presidential Secretariat by the District Officer of the Civil Security Department G.Y.B. Perera to Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Ravi Seneviratne and Director General of the Civil Security Department, Major General Palitha Fernando (Retired), were also present on the occasion.
The Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) has contributed LKR 25 million to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund.
The cheque was handed over to the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake by the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Dimuthu Abeyesekera, the Chief Executive Officer Rajeeva Bandaranaike and Senior Vice Chairman Kusal Nissanka at the Presidential Secretariat.
News
Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56
Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.
In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.
He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.
Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.
He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.
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