Swimming Club all at sea

Members of Colombo Swimming Club were taken by surprise yesterday when the officials of the Road Development Authority (RDA) turned up at their poolside with a court order and a backhoe to demolish part of the property.

Although the demolition of part of the property to make way for the second phase of the Marine Drive extension project has been in the cards for a while, Colombo Swimming Club General Secretary  Kishan Karunaratne claimed yesterday’s incident took them by surprise. 

“We are not against the Marine Drive expansion project at all. What we are objecting is to the way it was done, without properly discussing it. We were to hand the land over on a mutually agreed date when they are really serious about it, when they have the funds. But right now there is no plan. They don’t even have an exit point and they have come on a Friday afternoon with a court order and demolition equipment. It has taken us by surprise. In fact, there were people swimming when they came,” Karunaratne said. 

According to the information received by Karunaratne, the RDA had obtained an ex-party court order two week ago. The officials of the club were not informed of the court decision, he claimed, which has led the club to suspect a personal grudge is being avenged through the move. 

“They have not taken over the property of the American Embassy. Nothing has been done to any property from Kolpity point. [It’s a] personal grudge,” Karunaratne claimed. 

Disturbed at the events that took place yesterday at the club, five guests staying at the property has checked out, he claimed. 

According to Karunaratne, the club has also contested the Rs. 4 million per perch offered as compensation by the RDA. He claimed the club has been informed by the Land Acquisitions department that their request is being considered. 

However, RDA Chairman N. R. Suriyarachchi denied pursing any personal agenda. According to Suriarachchi, requests by the club to extend the date of acquisition had been entertained twice. 

“When we realise that they are not cooperating, we have to take legal action. There was no other issue. We have worked with the American Embassy and they have even accepted our compensation. The club officials may accuse us of planning it in such a way that it fell on a Friday. But nothing of the sort happened. We just did this on a day that was convenient to all departments,” he said. 

He also claimed that it is hard to believe that the club was unaware of the court case that was heard on the matter. 

“The court always issues notice; they didn’t come for the hearing. I think they were trying to change the plan through different avenues,” Suriarachchi said, adding that the design plans for all roads in the area including the Marine Drive and the Elevated Highway connections and the tunnels for Port City connections have all been finalised.