| Water Supply and Drainage.
The Kandy pipe-borne water supply scheme goes back to the late 19th. Earlier the City had been supplied with water from wells taken in carts. Even the Kandy Lake had been a source of water besides the Mahaweli River which encircles the City to a great extent. In 1877 with the damming of the Dunumadalawa Stream Kandy had the Gundumale Reservoir. The streams in the surrounding hills provided a steady supply of pure water throughout the years. In 1962 the supply was increased with an intake plant from the Mahaweli River at Gatambe. Thereafter in 1990 with Japanese assistance the intake plant and the purification plant was rehabilited completely with new machinery and equipment. But today due to the even increasing demand Kandy had to look for other sources. With the completion of the Greater Kandy Water Supply Scheme by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board Kandy has been able to provide an unbroken supply of water to all parts of the City. The rates charged by the Municipality are very reasonable. The maintenance of the scheme is also very satisfactory as the staff is located in the most sensitive areas. The Kandy Municipality provides water to an adjacent local authority (Pradeshiya Sabha) – Ampitiya, Tennekumbura, Gurudeniya since the 1960s.
Health and Sanitation.
Kandy Municipality through its Health Clinics spread out in several words has been able to achieve almost 100% immunization of the child population. This is given free to all citizens of the City. Mothers are made aware of child care, pre-natal and post natal care, family health, nutrition and environment health when they visit the clinics.
The Health Department is responsible for the cleanliness of all roads, drains, markets and the environment in general. Garbage collection is done according to a set programme.
A waste water project is being planned for Kandy with Japanese assistance. Plans have been placed before the citizens for their awareness and participation before being approved finally by the Council.
The main cemetery located at Mahaiyawa has separate sections for the Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus. A crematorium was established in ……………… This is made available to people living outside the Municipal limits at t higher rate. Smaller cemeteries are located in some wards. They are all maintained by the Health workers.
The first Ayurveda Clinic was started at Katukele in the 1920s. There are another 6 centres around the city providing a good service.
Library Services.
Kandy is said to have had the oldest public library in the country within a Municipal area. A small scale library started with the assistance of a few benevolent citizens around 1841 had been handed over to the Municipality in 1920. Thereafter with further contributions from the public the present D.S.Senanayake Memorial Library was set up in 1962. Today this library caters to a readership of over ……………… The library has over ………….. books. They are made available to the members in the lending and reference sections. The newspaper stands are very popular amongst users of the library as all the daily papers are put out.
An Indian section and an American section have been added to the main library enabling readers to access a vast field of knowledge and information. Regional libraries are located in some wards whilst all community centres are provided with the daily newspapers and periodicals. A mobile library service caters to areas that have not been provided with these facilities. A children’s library E.L.Senanayake library was started in …………………
Besides providing the reading facilities the library organizers, literary events, competitions, exhibitions and lectures for the students and the general public. These events have been very popular over the years.
Pre-schools.
Almost every ward is provided with a pre-school housed in the community centre or its vicinity. Education is free to all children within the city limits.
Well qualified and trained teachers manage these centres. The children are taught to observe our social practices connected to the Sri Lankan culture such as the Sinhala and Tamil New Year customs and traditions. Celebrating Vesak and other festivals in an appropriate manner. Annually all the children participate in a variety entertainment where the parents, Council members and officers of the Municipality are able to see the progress amongst these children.
Works Department.
Planning, construction and maintenance of all Municipal roads, buildings, sports complexes and parks is done by Engineers and the staff attached t this department. The Municipal area is divided into five zones for a better service.
Any developer/house builder is expected to get the plans for such constructions approved prior to commencement of any work. Guidelines are provided to preserve the architectural character of our city whilst observing the regulations set out in the Ordinance.
Other Servics.
Parks – Wace Park (Royal Palace Park) is a popular recreational spot. It has several species of rare trees. A cannon guan used in the II world war is on display.
The children’s park at the eastern end of the lake is well patronized. It is named after one of the former Mayors – E.L.Senanayake.
Public Assistance.
Poor families, sick elders are provided with a monthly allowance through the recommendation made by an Advisory Committee.
Housing.
The Kandy Municipality has a large history of providing housing of the needy. In the early days it was for slum clearance and the prevention of epidemics. Several schemes (model tenements) were built in Deiyannewela, Katukele, Mawilmada, Mahaiyawa and Aruppola. In 1980 by a cabinet decision these were handed over to the original families.
Thereafter from 1985 onwards a massive programme was initiated under the Urban Housing Programme. Low income settlements were identified and upgraded on a loan scheme. All infrastructure needs were provided water and electricity supply to each house-hold was provided under an easy payment scheme in installments – Nelumpokuna, Ginihiriya, Tankiawatte, Bogambara etc.
In 1990 with the Gam Udawa celebrations in Kandy a model village was done up Nagastenne. With the peoples participation not only were the houses improved by the residents in the settlement they built their community centre including space for a pre-school, cooperative store, indoor sports centre and a vocational training centre. Residents were provided with a play ground as well. A bathing well and pipe-borne water was supplied to help the residents to overcome the hazards of climbing the hill several times for their daily needs.
Another new settlement was Sangaradenige watte in Katugastota where too with the people participation houses and all basic requirements were built.
Fire Department.
It is said that this department was set up after a major fire that broke out at Hill Street in 1928. The Fire Brigade has been improved with new machines some of which have been gifts from individuals and social groups. The back lanes in the Grid City have been designed as fire gaps and for the Fire Brigade to access certain points. Fire hydrants are located at suitable points. A map shows these locations. Well trained personal manage this service. They have awareness programmes for the City dwellers especially the business community in the City Centre. They are advised on fire prevention and the use of fire extinguishers.
Veterinary Services.
Whilst maintaining the Central Market built in 1959 with all facilities the department has its laboratory too in the same premises.
The slaughter house at Suduhumpola too is under its supervision. Immunization of pets (especially dogs) used to be done by this department. Dog licenses were issued by the Council until a few years back. Cattle sheds, fowl runs etc are inspected and regularized.
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