Dangers posed by beggars and traders at traffic lights in Colombo City

The motorists in the City of Colombo (Zone 1 to 15) have been experiencing extreme difficulties at traffic lights due to beggars and traders distracting the movement of vehicles. This matter has been lingering for a considerable period as the authorities concerned are not taking suitable action to remedy it.

Furthermore, the Automobile Association will be hosting the next Federation Internationale De L’ Association (FIA) Round Table Conference in Sri Lanka. It was pointed out to them that necessary action needs to be taken to remove beggars at traffic lights in the metropolis.

The Automobile Association of Ceylon convened a forum for this purpose with stakeholders, who are the authorities who could engage in exchanging views and could take corrective action to bring a solution to this menace.

Automobile Association of Ceylon as a facilitator invited representatives from Presidential Secretariat, Ministry of Women, Children’s Affairs and Social Empowerment, Road Development Authority, Department of Social Services, Colombo Municipal Council, National Council for Road Safety and Police Department to a forum to discuss and obtain their views to take necessary steps to clear the beggars and traders at traffic lights in Colombo City. The Automobile Association of Ceylon was represented by a special Sub Committee headed by M/s Prasanna De Zoysa(Sectional Chairman Buildings, Establishment and Environment Management), Ananda Dangalla (Vice President/ Sectional Chairman Finance), Wickrama R. Punchihewa (Sectional Chairman- Legal), Harsha Panduwawala (Executive Committee Member), Anton Kandiah (Consultant) and Devepriya Hettiarachchi (Secretary).

It was a well-attended and successful forum held on September 14, where each stakeholder expressed his/her views and proposed remedial measures to prevent harmful and obnoxious behavior of beggars and traders at traffic lights.

In the open forum these representatives pointed out the pros and cons and the obstruction anticipated by elements who sympathize with these intruders, including the mafia behind them.

However, it was the general view of the participants that rather than educating and clearing the beggars and traders from the traffic lights, it is prudent and effective if we educate the potoring Public not to encourage and to give money to the beggars or buy any items from the traders at the traffic lights. It was also suggested that suitable placards or handouts are distributed at these traffic lights.

However, it was decided to convene a meeting October 3, 2023, at the AAC auditorium to discuss the subject further and take a constructive and final decision.