CMC moves against illegal structures as Colombo flood crisis sparks political backlash

Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar

Urban Development Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has stepped up efforts to address recurring flooding in the capital, identifying 60 locations with drainage obstructions for urgent intervention and warning of legal action against unauthorised constructions blocking waterways.

The measures come amid mounting criticism over the Council’s preparedness following heavy rainfall on 6 November, which left several parts of Colombo and its suburbs inundated for hours, disrupting traffic and daily activities.

According to CMC, several unauthorised constructions identified along Sri Wickrama Road in Mattakkuliya and Bimelwatte Road had already been removed, while notices were being issued to other locations where similar obstructions had been identified. The CMC has warned that legal action would be taken against those responsible for unauthorised structures obstructing drainage systems and contributing to urban flooding.

Meanwhile, a special joint operation involving several State institutions was launched on Sunday (8) under the leadership of Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar and Urban Development Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara to clear drainage blockages and address the city’s vulnerability to flash floods.

The operation covers five electoral divisions within the CMC, North Colombo, East Colombo, West Colombo, Borella and Central Colombo, with priority given to locations facing a high risk of flooding.

Initial work is being carried out at Kirimandala Mawatha in Narahenpita, Haig Road in Bambalapitiya, Collingwood Place and Parakum Road in Wellawatte, the Cooray Urban Housing Scheme, Stafford Road in Kirulapone and the adjoining canal.

Other locations identified for intervention include Heen Ela near Baseline Road, Aramaya Road in Dematagoda, the New Bazaar area in Central Colombo, De Mel Watta and Paradise Road.

Personnel from the Sri Lanka Army, CMC, Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation, Urban Development Authority and Road Development Authority are participating in the operation.

Authorities said the program would go beyond clearing immediate blockages to address longstanding drainage deficiencies through repairs, regular maintenance and improved coordination among State institutions.

Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Sunil Watagala, Colombo District MP, also attended the field operations, alongside CMC Deputy Mayor Hemantha Weerakoon, local government representatives, officials and residents.

The November 6 flooding affected several areas, including Pettah, Dematagoda, Orugodawatte, Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya and Kompanna Veediya.

Authorities have identified poor drainage maintenance, unauthorised construction and land reclamation, unplanned urban development, the dumping of waste into canals and drainage networks, and inadequate institutional coordination as contributing factors.

The Government intends to establish a coordinated mechanism for the maintenance, rehabilitation and monitoring of drainage infrastructure, replacing the fragmented approach under which individual institutions have operated separately. The initiative is intended to provide immediate relief while establishing a longer-term framework to reduce Colombo’s exposure to flash floods.

Opposition MP S.M. Marikkar, meanwhile, called for Mayor Balthazar’s resignation or removal, accusing the CMC of failing to clean drains and culverts despite advance warnings of heavy rainfall.

Marikkar, who is also a member of the Disaster Management Council, said the Department of Meteorology had warned of heavy rainfall during October and November associated with El Niño conditions, but the Council had failed to take timely preventive measures.

“Colombo City would not have been flooded on Friday if the drains were cleaned on time. Either the Mayor should resign or President Anura Kumara Dissanayake should remove her from her post,” he said.

Marikar argued that Colombo had experienced heavier rainfall in the past without major public infrastructure being affected to the same extent. He cited rainfall exceeding 400 mm recorded in 1992, noting that important establishments such as the Colombo National Hospital had not been affected by flooding on that occasion.

He also pointed out that Jawatte, the ward represented by the Mayor, was among the areas inundated on Friday.

Criticising the CMC’s overall performance, Marikkar said the Council had failed to adequately serve Colombo’s business community, including jewellers, despite being one of the wealthiest municipal councils in the region. He also praised the Council’s performance under former Mayor Muhammed Uvais Emitiyas.

Marikkar further alleged that neither the CMC Opposition Leader nor other Opposition councillors had been invited to participate in post-disaster discussions on the flooding.