CCD to go ahead and remove illegal structures despite minister’s phone calls

24 April 2018 08:03 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 60 Bookmark

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The Coast Conservation Department (CCD) Director General Prabath Chandrakeerthi today told the Daily Mirror that Minister Faizer Musthapha had urged him not to go ahead with the decision to remove the illegal structures in Mirissa.

But Mr. Chandrakeerthi said the Department would remove the identified illegal structures by May 1.

"I received a call from the minister who wanted me not to go ahead. I informed him the CCD did not come under his ministry and that he could not make such a request," he said.

Mr. Chandrakeerthi said he had told the minister to submit his request in writing.

He said the minister wanted the authorities to first instruct the people and then lodge police complaints before removing the illegal structures.

Mr. Chandrakeerthi said the CCD had followed the legal provisions by informing of the rights of the occupants of the structures. The illegal dwellers have however not exercised the rights compelling the removal.

Some 17 unauthorized constructions were identified along the Mirissa beach by the Coast Conservation Department.

The minister on Sunday expressed opposition to the CCD decision to remove the unauthorized constructions saying the decision could hamper the livelihood of small entrepreneurs.

He had met the hoteliers in Mirissa on Friday and held discussions with regard to the situation that occured after the incident which Dutch tourists were sexually and physically assaulted in the area.

Many tourists both local and international detailed a culture of sexual harassment and abuse for years in the area.

A social media user said, "This is not the first time that the authorities have been notified about the surf bar - I did this myself three years ago. No action was taken. Not only the surf bar, there are at least three more establishments on that strip without licences and run by political thugs." (Thilanka Kanakarathna)

Comments - 60

Shihab Tuesday, 24 April 2018 08:28 PM

Big brawl!

4 17

INDEPENDENCE OF TH BUREAU-_CRAZY. Wednesday, 25 April 2018 01:19 PM

BIg Brawl or not - will the Attorney Generals Dept go against a Minister's directive, Same with the Police !

2 16

Mustappha Tuesday, 24 April 2018 08:33 PM

Well done You are a son of Sri Lanka. Do not take this man seriously and please go ahead and demolish the unauthorised structures. He is a PC i do not know what it means, common sense . Please please Sir stay with your right position and none of his buisness too

0 219

Jaliya Tuesday, 24 April 2018 11:29 PM

PC means he is in the President’s Council [Committee as one of the attorneys]

0 19

Nimal Wednesday, 25 April 2018 11:38 AM

lol.. PC means Political Counsel

0 21

Ivan Wednesday, 25 April 2018 02:16 PM

Well said. Don’t take this man seriously. He is one of those inefficient ministers in the Government. We saw hiw he prolonged local government elections. You are on the right path Mr. Chandrakeerthi

0 3

Summa Tuesday, 24 April 2018 09:08 PM

Oh, what a relief !! This country still has right thinking, unafraid Govt servants. Sometime back we had a similar ministry secretary with the Wild Life Dept and he was sacked by our 'yamapalana' minister.

2 176

Farook Wednesday, 25 April 2018 06:35 AM

I am so proud of this gentleman.

0 49

DO NOT BE CARRIED AWAY Wednesday, 25 April 2018 02:49 PM

ALL GOVT SERVANTS ARE BEHOLDEN TO THE UNEDUCATED POLITICOs. I am sure this "government servent has got the backbone because he was ordered to do so by "his" Minster - No sir - It was only during our times - even as late as the 1980s we refused to carry out minister's incorrect instructions.

0 2

pradeep Tuesday, 24 April 2018 09:16 PM

Well done DG Mr.Chandrakeerthi, keep up the good work.

0 59

Mandy Wednesday, 25 April 2018 11:13 AM

There is more to the objection from the Minster as he had been in the vicinity that day. See:http://www.dailymirror.lk/149020/Mirissa-Merry-making-and-objections

1 18

Ronnie Bugger Wednesday, 25 April 2018 01:11 PM

He says 17 unauthorized structures. Was he in hibernation until something bad has happened to wake up or did he have his palms oiled regularly. This is not good work but negligence of duty.

0 1

Upul Tuesday, 24 April 2018 10:01 PM

Yes, a very good move. This moron Faizer should be stripped off from his ministerial position too.

0 45

hahs Wednesday, 25 April 2018 12:34 PM

and hes going to be the sports minister :/

0 2

malij Tuesday, 24 April 2018 10:04 PM

Bravo! It is a refreshing change. Nice to get a reminder that there are still some people who would not to bow down or cow down to dirty politicians and to their political pressure. Keep it up!

0 42

Sirini Tuesday, 24 April 2018 10:14 PM

Well done CCD very proud of you for going ahead with the correct decision and not giving in to third rate men like this big mouth minister who had no self respect .

0 36

RP Tuesday, 24 April 2018 11:11 PM

Well said Sir!We need more people like you in our Island to stand up to the the 'Phone call Politicians"The phone call era has to die soon for the sake of better government and rule of the law.Thank you Mr. Chandrakeertji and wishing you well with your take!

0 36

Jaliya Tuesday, 24 April 2018 11:26 PM

Mustapha is known to have been engaged in several shady real estate deals ... I am not surprised that man has sold the government land and pocketed the money. This explains why he is so interested to save these shady establishments.

0 39

Neil Wednesday, 25 April 2018 03:50 AM

Well done. My hat off for you.

0 34

rajitha7 Wednesday, 25 April 2018 03:57 AM

Smart guy! he asked for the request in writing. This is how the govt servants should operate when dealing with ministers.

0 37

Ranjitdea Wednesday, 25 April 2018 04:25 AM

DG stick to your guns. These politicians will be the down fall of the UNP Government at the next Parliamentary elections

0 30

Sunil Wednesday, 25 April 2018 04:50 AM

Great show, CCD. Stand your ground in spite of threats by the minister who is trying to take the law into his own hands. Such ministers have been the bane of Sri Lanka and he should know better. Let us chase them.

0 26

Shelly Wednesday, 25 April 2018 05:29 AM

Well done,go ahead with the demolishing plan, we need people like you, illegal means illegal

0 28

aza Wednesday, 25 April 2018 05:45 AM

What a true Sri lankan hero ,we need government servants like you

0 31

Cobra Wednesday, 25 April 2018 06:38 AM

Attaboy CCD, do your job and to hell with interfering politicians!

0 22

Neville Wednesday, 25 April 2018 07:21 AM

Great, We are proud that at least we have few Sri Lankans left with backbones who can stand to the pressure of politicians connected to thugs.

0 26

Robin Wednesday, 25 April 2018 07:45 AM

Bravo ! We need more and more intrepid officers like you in the public service.I am sure you will set an example to others too who will follow suit.

1 28

DG Wednesday, 25 April 2018 07:57 AM

CCD go ahead and remove all unauthorized structures. Law

0 25

Jaliya Wednesday, 25 April 2018 08:05 AM

This man is known to be involved in shady real estate deals. Especially in the coastal areas. [Wadduwa comes to mind where a UAE co lost more than US$ 7M] I wouldn't be surprised if he has sold some of the state land to these illicit business operators to make a quick buck. This man was sent as the part of SLK delegation to the UN this year without a shame or guilt. He won't allow Mr. Chandrakeerthi to function as the Director General using his influence to deviate the legal process of demolishing illegal structures with uncivilized operators.

0 25

dulan Wednesday, 25 April 2018 08:28 AM

Do not celebrate too early let us wait for real action not words

0 18

Well Done Sir Wednesday, 25 April 2018 08:30 AM

We salute your firm stand on this issue, Sir, the Director General.

0 22

Chopped aiyya Wednesday, 25 April 2018 08:34 AM

There is a beach wadiya in Mirissa and that belongs to a govt blue minister

0 19

Ravi Wednesday, 25 April 2018 08:38 AM

Well done Mr prabath ignore this man do your job.

0 24

Malli Wednesday, 25 April 2018 08:48 AM

Do it guys its much needed. Mr Minister shut the heck out please.

0 16

Machan Wednesday, 25 April 2018 08:55 AM

This Minister Must resign for encouraging illigal activities, influencing or obstructing government officials of doing their legitimate duties and for representing law brakers.

0 25

rew Wednesday, 25 April 2018 12:37 PM

Get serious. He is one of Sillysena's right hand men.A thug and a bum.

0 3

Scooby Doo Wednesday, 25 April 2018 08:56 AM

Sounds great!Let's build a beautiful nation free of political influences. If we had this kind of government servants by now Sri Lanka will be another Singapore.

0 24

Jayantha Jayasinghe Wednesday, 25 April 2018 09:08 AM

Mustapha Get away.

0 37

Jaliya Wednesday, 25 April 2018 09:32 AM

Man is a con artist with ulterior motives. He doesn't allow Mr. Chandrakeerthi to comply with the laws. Illegal means normal to Mustapha .... he is involved in many questionable real estate deals caused foreign company to lose US $7M .. my guts are telling me he is in someway involved in transferring ownership of these state lands to illicit businesses. Promoting illegal structures and interfering with demolition process Mustahpha has to resign immediately.

0 25

Lord Wolfstein Wednesday, 25 April 2018 09:53 AM

I can only hope that the government stands behind this brave official against this dishonest minister.

0 21

ghaffa Wednesday, 25 April 2018 10:14 AM

come on man keep your back born strong, who is this minister to tell you to stop working, you go head with your work and pro that you are correct. Mr minister please keep away from tour dirty hand.

0 19

Alex Wednesday, 25 April 2018 10:46 AM

Hats off and salutes to Mr.P.Chandrakeerthi for not bowing down to unjust. You have set a good example to other govt.servants to discharge duties keeping backbone straight.I hope and pray others also display this kind of attitude whenever a politician tries to interfere in your duties.

0 17

Rasheed Wednesday, 25 April 2018 10:52 AM

Just because he is the legal advisor of the President he cannot cross his limit. Don't poke your nose into everything. It seems that you also have share in this business.

0 17

Lankaputha Wednesday, 25 April 2018 11:05 AM

The best thing the Government do is remove him too from the Minister post and make the place safe for visitors and tourist.

0 15

L. Perera Wednesday, 25 April 2018 11:15 AM

Thank you. Minister and all these fellows are uncivilised. Please go ahead with the right thing and you can be happy that you have done your job. In near future people will reject all corrupt politicians. There is no single politician love this country USD is 160. We don’t want politicians, parties, leaders etc. Enough is enough!!!

1 15

Chandana Wednesday, 25 April 2018 11:32 AM

Unfortunately the very people who praise this public servant do not discharge their responsibility in the same line when these morons (political) are elected at the elections.

0 1

Chandana Fernando Wednesday, 25 April 2018 11:51 AM

We salute you Sir............. what ever the actions you take do legally, then no one can blame to you.

0 1

Ishan Wednesday, 25 April 2018 11:55 AM

Well done DG

0 14

Ajja Wednesday, 25 April 2018 12:23 PM

Wait and see...the final outcome will be a Presidential order not to remove unauthorized structures."Annduwa anaagena...ali madiwata Harak!!!!"

0 1

yunus Wednesday, 25 April 2018 01:10 PM

Well done DG, these politicians needs to be sent to the laundry.

0 1

malij Wednesday, 25 April 2018 01:15 PM

Kudos to the editor of this page who gave the publicity to this incident. Such actions would give life and courage to the embattled public servants to stand up, walk tall and straight without bowing to unlawful and illegal pressures from the politicians.

0 2

Nilame Wednesday, 25 April 2018 01:42 PM

Country requires people like you working without political directives and taking unbiased straight forward decisions.great decision!

0 1

Rosh Wednesday, 25 April 2018 02:08 PM

Where will tourists Patronize then? From Hikkaduwa, Uanwatuna , Mirissa to Ella and further.. 90% of the restaurants on the beach are not legal. it has been like this for decades. over thousands of people will lose jobs over night and hundreds of thousands will get effected . People with tunnel vision like you is the problem, government needs to bring everyone in to the system without short term vision.

0 1

anura Wednesday, 25 April 2018 02:25 PM

Well done sir !! You really stood your ground on behalf of all the government officers dealing with administrations. Don't let these corrupt politicians to poke their nose in your official work. They go after corrupt people and try to get their 10% etc from thugs operating in the area. Don't let these corrupt yahapalana politicians to lay their finger on this honest officer.

0 1

Nilhan Jayawardene Wednesday, 25 April 2018 02:50 PM

People lost faith on this minister, the way he acted during the last local govt election. As minister in charge, he is against getting rid of pavement hawkers. What is the use if he is not ready to act on behalf of all people who use pavements. Now why he is interfere on this, which is not comes under him. It could be because some of the structures own by his community. Recently I went to Galle face green close to the hotel. It was shocking. Dirty and the beauty of the hotel is no more. Three wheelers parked every where.Not safe for families to have a relax time their. This minister can do some thing here but I doubt he will.

0 1

Corrupt Wednesday, 25 April 2018 03:10 PM

Man with a backbone.As you see all the comments are that The Minister is corrupt. That is absolutely true including his wife who is a Director of Fairway Holdings and doing all the illicit dealings with Ravi Karunayake who owns a major stake in Fairway Holdings

0 1

R.Anthony Wednesday, 25 April 2018 03:18 PM

Well done DG don't be a afraid to do the right thing. Illegal means ILLEAGAL go ahead and do it. Minister go back to School. Pity our Hon President, what Legal Advice he may getting from this Minister( Faizer Musthapa). Weldone Mr Chandrakeerthi keep up the good work.

0 1

dr Nilani L. De Silva Wednesday, 25 April 2018 03:38 PM

I am building a hotel in Calido Beach area Kaluthara. Calido beach was a famous beach. Instead of clearing the beach coast clearance has dumped stones although calido beach is not directly threatened by the waves. it is good coastal preservation protect the beach, but also involve us when making decisions as we invest millions to build hotels and beach access is obstructed. Give us the ability to protect the beach area front of our hotel. we would like to legally start a small beach cafe, now in front of my hotel is just a garbage dumping area. The coastal protection minister did good by denying the interference of the local government minister. I personally have good experience with the coastal protection ministry and respective department. But as hoteliers we would like to protect and make the beach area beautiful. That needs ministry working with us.

0 0

senarath Wednesday, 25 April 2018 04:48 PM

Mr. Minister spare the beach go jump in the sea.!!!

0 2

SAM Thursday, 26 April 2018 10:14 AM

Who is the Blue Boy he is trying to cover?

0 0

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