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Pahala Kadugannawa stalls to be re-established 

17 Nov 2021

  •  Long-term plan to be mooted by Kegalle DS and Tourism Ministry 
By Dinitha Rathnayake  The fruit stalls and other temporary structures along the main Kandy-Colombo Road at Pahala Kadugannawa, which were demolished due to fears of landslides, would be re-established according to a long term plan. Speaking to The Morning, Kegalle District Secretary (DS) Mahinda S. Weerasooriya said that the Government cannot provide any compensation to the fruit stall owners, since they have no legal documents to prove their ownership of the stalls. “However, we understand the importance of having those fruit stalls, since it is a tourist attraction. Sightseeing is also famous among both locals and tourists at this point,” he stated. Weerasooriya noted that therefore, a proper plan would be discussed with the Tourism Ministry to establish new stalls at this location. He also added that the Colombo-Kandy Main Road, which remained closed due to landslide risks from Lower Kadugannawa, was also opened yesterday (17) following recommendations given by the Road Development Authority (RDA) and the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO). Several inspections and tests were carried out by the RDA and NBRO officials at the site. Although over the years there were warnings to relocate the stalls, no action was taken in the past. Earlier, Peradeniya University Geologist Prof. Atula Senaratne had advised that the entire Colombo-Kandy Road stretch from Hingula should be closed until a specific examination of the soil in the Pahala Kadugannawa area was carried out.  


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