News
Relocating our beggars
View(s):Story and pix by Indika Handuwala, Amila Gamage and Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi.
Begging and beggars are synonymous on Colombo’s streets. Daily hundreds of beggars flock to Colombo, begging inside buses and trains, loitering at traffic lights, state buildings and religious places. These people are a nuisance to the public, though it must be acknowledged that many of them are homeless and have few options other than begging to keep body and soul together.
According to Mr. S.B. Dissanayake Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare, government plans to halt begging and ensure the beggar population is taken off the streets. As part of this programme, around 500 beggars living in Colombo and its suburbs will be relocated to the Ridiyagama Detention Centre in Ambalantota.
Beggars are often seen loitering in front of buildings and offices
Begging somtimes creates behaviourial problems
Playing on the conscience of those who are better-off
Traffic light junctions are targetted areas by beggars in Colombo
Handicapped persons are often dropped off by the roadside by controllers at busy cross-roads
Government plans to relocate beggars to a detention centre at Ambalantota