Colombo Mayor Vraîe Cally Balthazaar has announced immediate action to recover public assets across the D4 Administrative District following inspections that revealed widespread misuse and neglect of community resources.
Colombo Mayor Vraîe Cally Balthazaar has committed to recovering public property that has been unlawfully occupied or left neglected across the D4 Administrative District. During an inspection tour, municipal officials identified multiple sites requiring intervention, including an unfinished building that has received public funding for over 15 years without reaching completion.
Among the cases discovered was a children's playground that had been illegally converted into a private garage. The Mayor emphasized that such conversions represent a breach of public trust, asserting that community spaces must remain accessible to residents rather than serve private commercial purposes. She pledged to take decisive measures to restore the playground to its intended use.
Other problematic sites included the Jathika Pola, which the Mayor acknowledged requires both immediate remedial work and longer-term planning to ensure viability. Additionally, officials visited Ashroff Watte, where persistent drainage issues have affected residents for an extended period. Balthazaar expressed commitment to coordinated efforts aimed at resolving these infrastructure challenges.
The Mayor framed the initiative as part of broader accountability for public resources, stating that taxpayer funds must be directed toward projects benefiting residents rather than being misappropriated. With the Road Development Authority preparing to expand road infrastructure in the area—which will require relocating the current depot and district office—the administration plans to clear and prepare the long-neglected site for productive community use.
