Shifting sands nudge a town-shift

By Nadia Fazlulhaq

Peradeniya town, a landmark in the hill country and a take-a-break spot on the Colombo-Kandy Road is to be relocated in Iriyagama.

The relocation has been necessitated due to the danger posed by landslides following incessant rains. A huge chunk of loose earth dislodged from a hill in Peradeniya town blocked the Colombo-Kandy Road damaging 12 shops. The road has been closed by the Peradeniya Police and vehicles are diverted along the Gannoruwa Road.

Peradeniya town. Pix by Shane Seneviratne

“A decision has been taken to move Peradeniya town to Iriyagama which is 1½ kilometres away. Under these development plans shopping centres will also be shifted to Iriyagama,” Governor Central Province Tikiri Kobbekaduwa confirmed to The Sunday Times.

Governor Kobbekaduwa explained that it will take at least two years to establish the new town.

However, the sprawling campus of the University of Peradeniya and the Botanical Gardens will not be affected.

“The town has about 169 shops and a few families live on the slopes of the hill. The 250-ft hill that has developed cracks could be dangerous,” he said.

One of the many earthslips

Explaining that the relocation would be a permanent solution, Kandy Mayor L.B. Aluvihare said there will be space in Iriyagama to accommodate more than 400 shops.

“We believe that Peradeniya town is almost 100 years old and is one of the oldest small towns in Kandy. But we have to move out the people for their own safety. Geologists have warned that landslides may recur and people could be in danger,” the Mayor said.

He, however, assured that the Peradeniya section of the Colombo-Kandy Road will not be closed permanently.

“After the road is cleared and the repairs are carried out, vehicles will be allowed to pass through,” he said.

The Sunday Times understands that many in the area believe that the weight of the two transmission towers of mobile companies, on the hill has contributed to the landslides.

“These are private lands so we can’t order their removal. But the Divisional Secretariat has requested the companies to remove the towers,” said an officer of the Gangawata Korale DS under which a part of Peradeniya town comes. The other section falls under the purview of the Yatinuwara DS.

“The Peradeniya Railway Station which is a quarter kilometre from the Peradeniya town is also the same distance to Iriyagama. So it will not cause inconvenience to train travellers,” assured Station Master Kapila Bandara.