Rehabilitating Colombo’s vagrants But even the Ridiyagama Camp built at a cost of Rs 80 million is overcrowded
BY Kalana Krishantha
The Ministry of Megapolis and Western Province Development has prohibited begging in the city of Colombo from 1 January, in a bid to 'reduce the inconvenience caused to the public and as part of the Colombo City beautification project.'
Without stopping at that, the Ministry announced that Colombo's beggars would be sent to a special facility at Ridiyagama, Ambalantota, built at a cost of Rs 80 million, to rehabilitate and make them employable.
A couple of days after the dawn of the New Year, Ceylon Today ventured to find out whether the authorities had actually rounded up all the beggars in the city and sent them off for rehabilitation.
On a visit to several areas such as the Pettah Main Market, Borella Junction and the vicinity of the Dewatagaha Mosque at...