Govt. intervenes to resolve Manning market standoff

State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Public Sanitation Dr. Nalaka Godahewa speaking to traders yesterday

• Stalemate between UDA and traders over stall allocations resolved after talks, says Ministry

State Minister of Urban Development Dr. Nalaka Godahewa has intervened to resolve a standoff with traders that cropped up when allocating stall space at the new Manning Market complex in Peliyagoda, the Ministry said in a statement yesterday. 

Initially, the Urban Development Authority (UDA) had informed stall owners that 460 wholesale business owners at the Pettah Manning Market would each get a 12×12 foot space stall at the new market complex in Peliyagoda. This number, however, suddenly shot up to 750 and traders complained the UDA was attempting to resolve the issue by dividing up the already allocated stalls. The traders subsequently started a fast-unto-death campaign protesting the UDA move. 

The main reason for the unrest over shop allocations at Peliyagoda Manning market was due to a communication gap, State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Public Sanitation Dr. Nalaka Godahewa had explained when he met the representatives of the trading community. 

The problem was resolved amicably and representatives of the trading community expressed their gratitude to the State Minister after ending the protest campaign, the statement said.

“We took important policy decisions in consultation with the representatives of the trading community. One decision is that every incumbent trader should be entitled to space at the new premises and no one should be left out. The other decision is that each and every trader should get more space than what they have now,” the State Minister said.

According to the statement practical decisions were taken to amicably resolve the matter and Godahewa had thanked the trading community for their support.

“I would like to express my gratitude to representatives of the trading community for extending their support on this matter. Now the aim of all of us is to start functioning in the market as soon as possible. I am pleased to mention that my Ministry is committed to ensure that benefits of this facility are extended to people and the trading community as soon as possible.”

Manning Market Traders’ Association representative P.A. Upasena expressed the following views: “Until 2020, the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) kept on selling more and more outlets. Our traders appealed on this matter. The problem was created due to dragging this process again and again. We are very happy that Nalaka Godahewa understood this reality and resolved this matter amicably through cordial discussions with us. We are touched by his action.”

Trader Nimal Attanayake said they were relieved by the resolution, which paved the way for the market to be opened in the coming days.

“I think the problem has been solved in the best possible manner. There are 780 odd applications for 440 shops. It is a very complex problem which cannot be resolved easily. When there are three mangoes, seven people ask for a mango each. But thanks to the farsighted wisdom of the Minister, we managed to settle this problem amicably.  Hence on behalf of the trading community we express our deep gratitude.”