Just under five years ago, to be precise, on October 14, 2003, my letter titled "Sorry plight of Church Road, Kandana" was featured in the "Ombudsman" column of the Opinion Page of your prestigious journal. The sorry conditions expressed in that letter and the sufferings of the users of this road, whether on foot or by vehicle, continued for over three years thereafter, with haphazard patchwork being done from time to time.

Then Heaven looked down upon us unfortunates and gave us a break in the form of an ADB funded programme for the rehabilitation of the road from the Negombo Road junction on through to Uswetiketiyawa. The Church Road comprised the first segment of this road. This work programme was carried out by a private contractor under the authority of the Western Provincial Council Road Development Authority, at a cost of Rs. 30 million. Work on this programme commenced in early 2007 and, to my recollection, was completed by the end of the same year. The rehabilitation work comprised elevation of the road surface, construction of side drains and culverts and provision of gravel sidelanes for pedestrian use. This work brought about a major welcome change, enabling vehicular traffic as well as pedestrians to move smoothly, free of hassle. On the whole, this road all the way from the Negombo Road through to Uswetiketiyawa was converted into a smooth highway.

This rehabilitated road was a great boon to users who underwent much hardship and anguish over the years, and something that residents of the area and business establishments on this road should treasure, care for and protect. But, unfortunately this is Sri Lanka, where nothing is appreciated. It is hardly a year since this work was completed, and already signs of decay are showing up - potholes formation, road edges being damaged and worse, trenching across this highway at three points within the first half kilometre of this road, for supplying water to business establishments across the road.

This road which was in a parlous condition for several years and rehabilitated at high cost, showing signs of damage and decay so soon is, in my opinion, a result of the callous disregard of our assets by the responsible authorities and the beneficiaries, too. Apparently there is no provision for post-rehabilitation maintenance work of this road, nor has there been any coordination between the Western Provincial Highways authorities and other concerned authorities such as the water supply services, electrical services etc. at the time of carrying out such high cost activities at taxpayer expense.

It is hoped that even at this stage, the authorities concerned will provide for the regular maintenance of this highway as well as discourage the wanton trenching and other damage to the road by business establishments, religious organisations and residents.

Over to you, Minister of Highways, Western Provincial Council.