Kandy Sewerage Project on Track

The KMC appears to be winning the struggle to clear the Kandy street pavements of pavement hawkers and keep them open for pedestrians. This is a battle of wits between the KMC and hawkers that has gone on for decades. In the past attempts to rid the pavements of hawkers have ended in failure. Sometimes the police did not support the KMC. More often powerful politicians intervened on the side of the hawkers. The usual excuse given was the need to protect livelihood but the search for a few additional votes and campaign contributions were ever present factors.

This time also the pavement hawkers and their trade association mounted a vigorous campaign against the KMC. Some affected parties made direct threats of physical harm against senior officials of the KMC. As a compromise the KMC has allowed the roof of the George E de Silva shopping complex to be used as an alternative location for the hawkers. Although the latter are not happy about it, so far the new arrangement has held, largely thanks to the cooperation that the police has extended to enforce the arrangement.

Fifteen delegates from Chambers of Commerce from Singapore and India visited Kandy recently to explore investment opportunities in fields such as textile, agro business, manufacturing, IT services, construction and fashions.

The delegates met with counterparts from the Central Province Chamber of Commerce and Industries led by its president Anurudda Warnakula and discussed avenues for joint ventures.