Government to get tough on unauthorised structures?

• The flow of rain water has been obstructed due to large scale unauthorised structures  

The Government is to get tough on unauthorised structures which have become a hindrance to the flow of rainwater, Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Land Anura Karunatilaka said yesterday.   

 “Flow of rain water has been obstructed due to large scale unauthorised structures and we have to take measures to ensure the rainwater flow,” Minister Karunatilaka told media.   

“We will also focus on constructions in environmentally sensitive areas. However one will have to deal with the issue considering the contribution which some of these unauthorised structures make to the economy. There are some constructions that have been existing for more than 15 to 20 years and they have been making a contribution to the country’s economy. These matters will be taken into consideration when dealing with the owners of unauthorised constructions. Therefore we will have to charge a fine for the environmental damages these constructions have done to the environment,” the Minister said.  

“We shall be coming out with a program to deal with unauthorized constructions across the country soon,” he added.   
Blocked rain water has created havoc even in Colombo City for a long period and had become a major hazard over the years.