Crocodile threat heightens along walking paths at Kalu-ela

By Sarath Chinthaka  

People who use the walking paths located on both sides of Kalu-ela complain that they are scared of walking along these paths which are located in the Wattala-Hendala junction during night-time because this canal is infested with crocodiles. These walking paths are said to be in  pitch darkness at night.   

The walking paths are open to the general public for 24 hours but there is nobody to give protection to them. They are built on both sides of Kalu-ela but one path which is built towards Mabola is not used by anyone as it is said to be infested with crocodiles. One path that is used at present is built on a higher level than the canal and the other is built at the water level of the canal.   

These walking tracks that were designed and built beautifully by the Economic Affairs Ministry of the previous government are not used by many people today.An attractive figure of a lion hewn in granite which was kept at the starting point of the path, has been displaced about one year ago. According to information received, it has been taken away by one of the provincial politicos in this area.   

It is said that the solar powered electric bulbs and batteries that had been fitted on both sides of the exercise tracks have now been pilfered. The people who use these tracks said that the cost of one such bulb was between Rs. 75,000 and 100,000.   

Those who use these tracks do not have water to drink or toilet facilities. In spite of the fact that the Wattala-Mabola Urban Council had purchased a boat and employed a worker for cleaning the canal during the tenure of the previous government, the cleaning of the canal has been ignored at present and the relevant boat is seen idling in the urban council premises. When inquired about this from the Chairman of the Wattala-Mabola Urban Council, Mark Gunasekera, he said.    “The court decided that the walking path being used at present by the people is owned by a private institute. Although the people use it at present, its owner is a private institute. This institute informed they would give money for re-building of this path so that the fear of crocodiles could be allayed.”   

The walking paths are open to the general public for 24 hours but there is nobody to give protection to them.