Major eyesore on Beira banks

In the last decade or so the government, the private sector and even private citizens have made a concerted effort to beautify Colombo. And it has worked!

Yet, eyesores like the Jinarathana Vocational Center at 142 Sir James Peiris Mawatha exist. The building belongs to one of the most influential and revered temples in Colombo. Gangaramaya is also a major tourist attraction.

Not only is the building in disrepair, it is also a health hazard with garbage, rats and other infestations. Nefarious activities go on in the night, as it would in any “abandoned” building. It seems the building is used as a car park for the temple vehicles! Not only does this go against every Buddhist principle, but is this building on the banks of the Beira even legal?

Why does government after government keep donating public land to this temple, when it refuses to use or maintain the buildings it already has?!!

Podi Hamuduruwo – Venerable Galboda Gnanissara – as Chief Incumbent, transformed the temple into “a dynamic center of spiritual growth, education and community empowerment”. But he is no more. And if the temple is no longer able to use or maintain this structure according to the vision of the revered Podi Hamuduruwo, it is surely up to the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing and/or Colombo Municipal Council to take immediate action.

M. S. De Silva
Colombo 02.