Colombo Municipal Council targets illegal structures amid flooding row

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has intensified its campaign against illegal structures and unauthorised building works across the capital, responding to concerns that unregulated construction is exacerbating the city's chronic flooding challenges.

The enforcement action comes as recent flooding incidents have triggered political backlash against municipal authorities, with critics pointing to inadequate drainage systems and urban planning failures as contributing factors. The CMC has indicated that removing illegal encroachments and structures blocking waterways is essential to improving the capital's flood resilience.

The drive to eliminate unauthorised construction reflects broader questions about urban governance in Colombo, where rapid development and informal building practices have created infrastructure bottlenecks. Municipal officials argue that clearing illegal structures will improve water flow through drainage channels and reduce inundation risks during heavy rainfall.

The enforcement initiative is expected to continue across multiple wards in the city, though the timeline and scope of the operation remain unclear. City authorities have urged property owners and residents to comply with building regulations and remove any unauthorised additions to their premises.