Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has instructed the relevant authorities to expedite the commencement of renovation on the Ratmalana–Kandawala Road and the drainage system on either side of the road, which provides access to a number of economically significant industrial establishments, higher education institutions, and other key locations.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during a special discussion held today (31 July) at the Western Provincial Council Office.
It was revealed during the discussion that due to blockages in the drainage system along both sides of the road, the road and adjacent buildings are frequently inundated during the rainy season, causing severe inconvenience to residents, employees, and those accessing institutions in the area. Although renovating the road would bring significant economic and social benefits, years of inadequate maintenance have caused flooding, while unauthorized constructions have been built blocking the water flow.
Several key factors affecting the poor storm water drainage along the Ratmalana–Kandawala Road were identified during the discussion. These included unauthorized structures blocking the natural flow of rainwater, the lack of regular cleaning and maintenance of the drainage system, and the insufficient capacity of existing culverts and bridges to meet current drainage requirements.
It was further revealed that the differences in elevation between the drainage system and the Weras Ganga, into which the water ultimately flows, as well as the area’s high groundwater table located close to the surface, have also caused the persistent flooding.
Addressing the meeting, the Prime Minister noted that unresolved issues relating to land ownership and the failure to clearly identify the institutions responsible for maintaining the drainage canals and waterways have become major obstacles to resolving the problem. The Prime Minister therefore stressed the importance of all relevant state institutions working together beyond narrow institutional and administrative boundaries.
The Prime Minister further emphasized that the final development plan should not only improve access for the public, export-oriented industries that generate foreign exchange, and higher education institutions, but must also incorporate comprehensive flood mitigation measures for the area.
The Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation has already prepared a development plan for the project. The meeting also focused on the implementation of the rehabilitation work by the Western Provincial Road Development Authority once the relevant stakeholder institutions resolved the outstanding issues.
The discussion was attended by Chairperson of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Chairperson of the Ratmalana Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Samanmali Gunasingha, Chairperson of the Roads Subcommittee of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Dewananda Suraweera, the Chief Secretary of the Western Province, the Mayor of Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia, and a large number of officials representing the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation and the Western Provincial Road Development Authority.
Prime Minister’s Media Division