By Kanchana Kumara

A tense atmosphere prevailed in Dambulla town last morning when the Municipal Council took steps with the help of the police to remove the pavement hawkers.

Chief Revenue Officer of the Municipal Council Atula Bandara said steps were taken to remove them with prior notice two days ago.

However, while the traders staged protests in the town against this decision, the Municipal Council removed the unauthorised stalls. The traders obstructed it, creating a tense atmosphere. The Chief Revenue Officer said the decision to remove the unauthorised stalls had been taken at a meeting attended by the traders, State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon and the Municipal Commissioner. When the traders attempted to clash with the police, senior police officials explained to them that it was a decision of the Municipal Council and not of the police.

Meanwhile, Chief Accountant of the Municipal Council Sampath Bandara who met the traders explained to them that this decision had been taken by State Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon and played the state minister’s voice recording.

The Chief Accountant who refused to make any comment on the issue to the media said he was only carrying out the Municipal Commissioner’s order. However, he said he would suspend the removal of stalls in view of the prevailing situation[JT1].