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Galle Face Green is for all
Tuesday, 29 November 2005 - 3:50 AM SL Time
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`The Galle Face Green should be maintained as a public utility, in continuance of the dedication made by Sir Henry Ward. The necessary resourcer for this purpose, should be made available by the government of Sri Lanka, the successor to the colonial governor, who made the dedication referred to,` the Supreme Court yesterday said in a judgement.
The court said that, the purported agreement, entered into between the Urban Development Authority and the EAP Limited is ultra vires and of no purpose or avail in law.
The case related to the management agreement or the lease entered into on February 15, 2003, by the UDA and the EAP Network Private Limited, whereby it was sought to hand over the management and control of the 14-acre seaside promenade of Colombo, the Galle Face Green to E.A.P.
When this fundamental rights violation plea, was supported on February 13, 2004, leave to proceed was granted. The Interim Order directed the UDA to refrain from putting into operation, any lease or agreement, to effect the use, occupation and or the management of the Galle Face Green.
The judgement said that the UDA denied the right to information of the petitioner, The Environmental Foundation Limited, and subjected the petitioner to unequal treatment.
The UDA was directed to pay the EFL, Rs. 50,000/- as costs.
Miss Ruana Rajapakse, appeared with Miss Pamoda Rajakeeya for the petitioner. Romesh de Silva PC, appeared with Sugath Caldera, for the UDA.
S. Parathanlingam PC, with N. R. Sivendran and S. Cooray appeared for the EAP Group.
The judgement was by the Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva with Justice N. K. Udalagama and Justice N. E. Dissanayake agreeing.
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Pera
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29 Nov 2005 02:04:24 GMT Report for Abuse
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Ranil gave the galle face green to EAP group for pea nuts as a political favour. Now it is given back to the people. So called Mr Clean's dirty works misfire!!
Good luck Mr Dirty Clean. Please be our leader of the opposition for another twelve years.
Cheers |
Vagabond
Joined: Nov 2005
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29 Nov 2005 18:15:51 GMT Report for Abuse
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| With due respect to the Chief Justice and the Justices, if private companies can be easily challenged in the courts in Shri Lanka in this manner, how can the Foreign Investors have faith their investment in Shri Lanka? |
Fairplay
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29 Nov 2005 18:22:33 GMT Report for Abuse
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Galle Face Green belongs to the public and should be maintained and run as a non profit entity in providing amenities to the public.
At present this is the only place that could belong to the Public where all other areas are being developed with inadequate atmosphere and environment.
For God sake, please let us breathe some fresh and natural cool air.
Fairplay |
Vagabond
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30 Nov 2005 00:04:25 GMT Report for Abuse
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I assume that Galle Face Green is very small area and used regularly by very small number of people. Therefore why should rest of the tax payers 'maintain' and provide for these small number of people. Isn't it fair that its maintained by private organisation and users paid for their privilege of use? Regular users can purchase season tickets and one-off user may purchase tickets when the visit the location.
I cannot understand the need for state involvement. I am sure money involved maybe? |
Fairplay
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30 Nov 2005 00:34:35 GMT Report for Abuse
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Galle Face is a 14 Acre seaside promenade as said in this article.
Galle Face is traditionally the Ceremonial venue for many celebrations including the Independance Day.
I am reluctant to believe that anybody who has visited Colombo has not seen the Galle Face Green. Atleast the young lovers under the umbrella in the scorching sun. The cool breeze keeps them cool.
Coming to the rare usage mentioned by Vagabond. Mostly it is used during the weekends and holidays in SL. There is ample time available to Sri lankans because HALF THE YEAR in SL is holidays. Many a people who look for outdoor recreation frequent the Green. Admittedly for those who cannot afford expenses opt to visit the green by spending the bus fare only. Even on days of religious festival, this place is a HEAVEN for the downtrodden.
The reason is that this promenade is by the sea.
This should remain a public property and maintained as a
Non profit entity.
Please do not steal the Haven, a place offering a peace of mind to the troubled mind may it be rich or poor.
This promenade has the power of Natural healing for the wanting mind.
Fairplay |
Gaja
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30 Nov 2005 00:51:46 GMT Report for Abuse
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It's good to see that Common Public interest overrides economic interest in the minds of Chief Justice Sarath N Silva, Justice N.K.Udalagam & Justice N.E.Dissanayake.
Given that the Judiciary is the government of Public Administrators and the independent citizen, this above ruling is a breath of fresh air in a politically driven country.
Gaja Lakshmi Paramasivam from Australia |
Mucha-linda
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30 Nov 2005 01:01:00 GMT Report for Abuse
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Could not this recent ruling by the Supreme Court be very 'Invester Discouraging'?
-Muchalinda
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Gaja
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30 Nov 2005 01:11:55 GMT Report for Abuse
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It would be. But that's the conflict in many issues in Sri Lanka and Australia - including the death penalities in Saudi and Singapore respectively.
love
gaja |
Fairplay
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30 Nov 2005 01:11:55 GMT Report for Abuse
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Nobody should be asked to pay in using the Green.
Investors coming to the country or from within sri lanka are protected under the BOI regulations that were enacted in the legislation. |
Pera
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30 Nov 2005 04:52:06 GMT Report for Abuse
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Poeple,
Ranil was VERY generous to the EAP group. He handed over the Galle Face to EAP group for pittance. No wonder 'Swarnawahini' played all sorts of tricks to elect Ranil as the president!
Cheers |
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