Development Division

According to the Pradeshiya Sabha Act No. 15 of 1987, the problems existing in the area should be identified and necessary measures should be taken to provide solutions based on their priority. For this, the need for a development plan and development projects related to the area is very important. A development plan is an analysis of all the physical, economic, social and environmental factors of the area and conclusions are reached and practical solutions can be provided for it.

Accordingly, according to clauses (a) and (b) of Section 27 of the Pradeshiya Sabha Act, the power of the Pradeshiya Sabhas to construct new roads and improve existing roads has been mentioned. (The implementation plan of the Development Division is available in Annexure 01)

The development and improvement of roads, bridges, culverts, playgrounds and development of council property in the current year are mentioned in sections 16, 17, 18, 25, 27 and 28 of the Pradeshiya Sabha Act.

Sustainable development is an integrated approach by the Pradeshiya Sabha to achieve long-term sustainable prosperity by integrating the three dimensions of environmental, social and economic.

• Submission of development proposals
  • Proposals related to regional road development
  • Proposals related to regional drain development
  • Proposals related to regional culvert development
  • Proposals related to regional bridge development
  • Playground maintenance

Public Complaints

Complaints related to garbage

Discharging garbage into the road is an offence under Section 65 (e) of the Pradeshiya Sabha Act No. 15 of 1987.

Noise Pollution

If factories are operated in a manner that causes harm to the environment and health, it is an offence under Section 106(1) of the Pradeshiya Sabha Act No. 15 of 1987 and there is power to refer the matter to the court and impose a fine under Section 106(2).

Stray Animals, Dogs and Other Public Complaints

Acting in terms of Section 66 of the Pradeshiya Sabha Act No. 15 of 1987 regarding stray cattle within the jurisdiction of the Pradeshiya Sabha

It is an offence in terms of Section 81 of the Pradeshiya Sabha Act No. 15 of 1987 regarding obstruction of the natural flow of rainwater.

• Regarding bank cutting
• Blocking drains
• Drain dumping and diversion of garbage, waste water into roads or other land

Complaints regarding hazardous trees

Acting in accordance with Sections 107(1 and 2) of the Pradeshiya Sabha Act No. 15 of 1987 regarding hazardous trees and accordingly, the council shall cut down the trees or branches and recover the cost from the relevant party

Complaints regarding unauthorized construction

When constructing a house or building within the boundaries of the Matale Pradeshiya Sabha, the house or building must be approved by the Pradeshiya Sabha under the Housing and Urban Development Ordinance. In cases where this is not the case, the Pradeshiya Sabha shall take legal action regarding the relevant unauthorized construction.

When constructing a house or building within the limits of the Matale Pradeshiya Sabha, under the Housing and Urban Development Ordinance, a building application form must be obtained from the Pradeshiya Sabha after paying the relevant fees to have the house or building approved by the Pradeshiya Sabha, and the application must be duly completed and submitted to the Pradeshiya Sabha along with the following documents:

1. Approved plan and its photocopies
2. Certificate of the land plot on which the buildings related to the above plan are intended to be constructed

III. 3 photocopies of building plans

1. Copies of letters of recommendation obtained from state or statutory bodies, if necessary

• Approval of the Department of Agrarian Services in case of paddy land
• Recommendations of the Building Research Institute 
• Recommendations of the Upper Mahaweli Development Authority 
• Recommendations of the Forest Conservation / Wildlife Department 
• Recommendations of the Central Environmental Authority 
• Recommendations of the Road Development Authority / Provincial Road Development Authority 
• Recommendation of the Geology and Mines Bureau 
• Recommendations of the Department of Natural Sciences 
• Recommendation of the Coastal Conservation Department 
• Recommendation of the Lowland Development Board

Procedure for dealing with unauthorized constructions

Legal provisions

1. 1. Housing and Urban Development Ordinance (Chapter 268) 
   2. Sections 47, 48 and 49 of the Pradeshiya Sabha Act No. 15 of 1987

1. Reporting of unauthorized constructions. (By telephone, by letter, by petition and by field inspections)
2. Information on reporting of unauthorized constructions

By telephone – in the complaint book

By letter, by petition – in the daily mail register

Field inspections – in a memo sheet

Record and assign a number

3. Submit to the Chairman / Secretary and obtain approval.
4. Conduct a field inspection by the Technical Officer and obtain a report. (Annexure 01)
5. Date stamp on the report.
6. Enter the report in the register of unauthorized constructions.
7. Submit the report to the Chairman / Secretary and obtain orders.
8. Issuance of a notification in accordance with Section 12(1) of the Housing and Urban Development Ordinance. (To be signed by the Chairman himself) (Annexure 02)
9. I The person carrying out the construction or his representative shall submit the approved plan in accordance with the notification referred to in paragraph 8 above

(a) Check whether the period for which the plan was approved has expired and if the validity period has expired, give instructions to extend the period (if the period of 04 years has exceeded from the date of approval, a new application should be given)

(b) Check whether the construction is being carried out in accordance with the approved plan.

(c) If the construction is not being carried out in accordance with the approved plan, give notice to stop the construction activities and give notice to submit a revised plan within 14 days.

8. 11 If the person carrying out the construction or his representative does not submit the approved plan in accordance with the notification referred to in paragraph 8 above

(a) Give notice to stop the construction currently in progress immediately.

(b) To submit a building application and to submit the plan within 14 days of the date of submission and approval.

III If the person carrying out the construction or his representative does not appear in accordance with the notice referred to in paragraph 8 above or if the building application is not submitted and the plan is not approved within the prescribed period

(a) To issue a notice by registered post in accordance with section 12(2) of the Housing and Urban Development Ordinance to demolish the construction in progress or the completed construction.

A(b) To obtain a court order for demolition if the demolition is not carried out within the period referred to in paragraph (a) above.

To act in accordance with the court order.

• Complaints regarding non-functioning street lights
• Proposals for the installation of new street lights. Section 108 of the Pradeshiya Sabha Act No. 15 of 1987 provides for the maintenance of street lights as “Public Utility Services”. A Pradeshiya Sabha may, independently or in association with any other local government body or any person, establish and maintain any of the following public utility services for the benefit of the persons residing or moving to that area: (a) Water supply; (b) Electric lighting of streets, public places and public buildings; (c) Supply of electric power or power; (d) Markets; (e) Inns; (f) Public baths and bathing places; (g) Manufacture and supply of toilet urinals for toilets at cost price; (h) Provision of housing facilities for the poor; (i) Establishment, maintenance or provision of any other service provided for by any other provision of this Act or any other written law. Any other public service authorized under a law. ”
• Accordingly, you can submit your complaints/suggestions regarding the following services to the Complaints and Suggestions section of this website.

Street Light Repair -2023

• The number of street lights notified for repair from 2023/01/01 to 2023/12/31 is 137
• The total number of street lights repaired by the council in the year 2023 is 445

Street Light Repair -2024

• The number of street lights notified for repair from 2024/01/01 to 2024/06/10 is 100
• The total number of street lights repaired by the council in the year 2023 is 202

• Approval of building applications
• Amendment of building applications
• Extension of building permit period
• Issuance of certificate of conformity