Begging Will be Prohibited Within Colombo City Limits With Effective From January
Megapolis and Western Development Minister Champika Ranawaka said begging will be prohibited along the roads or in public transport within Colombo city limits with effective from 1st January 2018.
He said according to a survey conducted by his Ministry in partnership with the Charity Commissioner of the Public Assistance Department of the Colombo Municipal Council and the Social Empowerment and Welfare Ministry around 600 beggars operate within the Colombo city limits.
Minister Ranawaka said considering the inconvenience caused to the public and as a measure of Colombo city beautification, it has been decided to prohibit begging in and around Colombo from January 1st itself.
He requested all the beggars to seek the assistance of the Commissioner of the Public Assistance Department at the Colombo Municipal Council if they find any livelihood difficulties and urged to refrain from begging.
