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Home to the country's commercial and political nerve-centres, Colombo is the most populated and the most heterogeneous Sri Lankan city. Colombo, the commercial capital has potential to be South Asia's financial hub, but there is a long journey to achieve that coveted position; city infrastructures have to be upgraded and a well- designed development program has to be implemented. However, in this modern and beautiful city of plus shopping malls and restaurants, there is another world - the forgotten world of city's Slum dwellers which count 60 percent of the total population. The Millennium Township Program is trying its best to find a solution to this dilemma. Problems of the City of Colombo, once called as the garden city of Asia, and its suburbs are not different from those of any other Third World city; inefficient waste management leaves columns of garbage along the road side, poor public transport facilities and traffic jams pose a huge set- back to the city development, broken and desolate sub routes in the city itself and its suburbs need urgent attention. Semi urban and rural areas of the district have their own socio- economic problems. Benefits of the open economy are yet to reach the Colombo suburb. Well-planned development project coupled with programs to upgrade the life standard of the poor is the need of the whole district, if it is to be the commercial hub of South Asia. Contesting parties: Total number of voters Colombo North - 86,842 Colombo Central - 159,417 Borella - 61,373 Colombo East - 66,736 Colombo West - 41,908 Dehiwala - 61,222 Ratmalana - 67,911 Kolonnawa - 02,676 Kotte - 74,140 Kaduwela - 135,550 Avissawella - 93,630 Homagama - 127,422 Maharagama - 114,854 Kesbewa - 131,571 Moratuwa - 115,430 Registered voters - 1,440,682 More fly-overs; underground subways - A.H.M. Fowzie [ PA] A former minister of Health, Highways and Social Service, Fowzie pledges to solve the prevailing drinking water, housing and health problems of the slum dwellers. He promises to develop electricity, public transport, telecommunications and road facilities at the semi urban areas of the district. Fowzie, a businessman turned politician promises to create more income generating opportunities with the participation of the private sector.Underlining the need of better transport facilities for a substantial economic growth, Fowzie pledges to upgrade them through setting up new flyovers, underground sub - ways. He promises to add more buses to public transport and implement electric trains. Claiming that he as the PA leader of the Colombo district was able build up a special relationship with the provincial level leaders of the party, Fowzie says that he would take the maximum use of this relationship in a future city development program. Rapid development with environment protection- M.H. Mohammed [UNP] Claiming that the PA was unable to carry out any important development work during its tenure, Colombo district UNP leader M.H. Mohammed pledges to develop the infrastructures through providing more powers to the local government bodies. According to him the weakness of the local government bodies is the principle reason for the prevailing problems of the city. Mohammed hopes to pump more funds to the local governments. Pointing out that the problems of slum dwellers cannot be solved relocating them in sky scrapers, Mohammed hopes to provide them with new houses in a new model of flats of two or three stories. Claiming that the environment pollution in the city has reached to an alarming level, he underlines the need of a new set of environmental laws. Upgrading the education facilities and a mid day meal for the school children are among his other priorities. A town with respect to humanity - Wimal Weerawansa [JVP] Comparing the present state of Sri Lankan politics to a stinking pit of refuse and garbage, JVP Colombo district leader Wimal Weerawansa says that his party his committed for an ethical and civilised political culture. Rebel and journalist turned politician Weerawansa, promises to work his best for the uplift of the life standard of the low income earning groups in the district. According to him a well organised project is essential to address prevailing socio-economic problems of these long neglected social groups. Weerawansa promises to upgrade public transport facilities. Claiming that there is grave difference in the schools in the district, Weerawansa underlines a need of a special program to upgrade those schools with poor education facilities. Weerawansa promises for a balanced development for the city and its suburbs. He pledges to work for a town where humanity is respected. Compulsory ordination for under 18 - Champika Ranawaka [SU] Engineer and lecturer turned politician Champika Ranawaka has some controversial proposals. Sihala Urumaya will make ordination compulsory for every youth under age 18 for a certain period. Such move, according to Champika Ranawaka, will make youths "ethical, honest and decent." Claiming urbanisation would be a serious problem to the future of the city, Ranawaka hopes to impose rigid rules on immigration to the city. Sihala Urumaya further hopes to reduce the number of vehicles entering the city, through legal measures. Upgrading public transport and health care is a priority of his agenda. A former student activist, Ranawaka draws special attention to the street children in the city and promises to rehabilitate and protect them with due care. It will impose rigid rules on the foreign ownership of the land and property. Ranawaka pledges to bring an end to what he called "Non-Sinhala monopoly" in whole sale activities, through the legal measures. Champika Ranawaka promises for efficient waste management system. He pledges to renovate the broken sub routes in the semi-urban areas. General Election Results
- 10.10.2000
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Produced by Lake House |
