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By Chandani Jayatilleke

The Ministry of Western Region Development (WRD) will shortly invite proposals from investors to develop 22 property development projects covering investment opportunities to the value of Rs. 5,000 million shortly, a senior official of the Ministry told the Daily News.

The proposals must include design, project and proposed financial plan and be compatible with Urban Development Authority (UDA) design guidelines, he said.

"We will provide land on a lease agreement to successful developers, in keeping with Government policies on land allocation," the official said.

The projects under this development program include:

* Commercial development at the Thalawathugoda Town Centre, Thalapitiya, Ragama and Union Place,

* Katuwana Housing Development Project (middle income housing), Housing Development at Ratnapura

* Residential Development at Hewa Avenue, Colombo 7 and Madiwela

* Katuwana Industrial Development Project

* Mixed Development at Kollupitiya, Sir James Pieris Mawatha, Govt. Supplies land, Dias Place, Sathyawadi Site at Kurunegala, 27, D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo.

* Recreational Development at Kurulu Uyana-Beira Lake

* Information Technology Park - Malabe

* Development of Oakley Cottage Resort, Tea Centre and Museum and UDA lands surrounding Lake Gregory in Nuwara Eliya

* Recreational Centre development in Kolonnawa

* Tourist and recreational centre, Moragolle, Beruwela

* Development of Beira Lake Business Park - Stage I East Lake

The Ministry is currently in the process of establishing an Investment and Promotion Bureau which will be responsible for the marketing of all investment projects in the Western region. "The Bureau will serve as a one-stop-shop which provides fast information to local and foreign investors. We are working closely with the BOI and other relevant authorities to facilitate investors by providing information. In addition, we have also planned to launch a website that will detail activities and functions of the Ministry together with ongoing projects and details, the official said.

The Ministry is committed to making Sri Lanka the gateway of the Indian sub continent through the development of the Western Region as the heart of the national economy.

He said although it is named the Ministry of Western Region Development (WRD), its development activities would not be restricted to the Western Province. "The Minister is vested with powers over the National Department and Statutory Institutions such as National Physical Planning Department, Regional Development Division and the Urban Development Authority."

"Our vision is to create prosperity in the Region in achieving National Development Goals. To this end it makes its mission to "expand socio-economic opportunities and enhance quality of life in the Region, through integrated sustainable socio-economic and physical development. We are geared to continue these development activities under the guidance of Minister M.H. Mohamed," he said.

The Minister is responsible for the planning and coordination of development programs in the Western Province, the implementation of regional development plans, physical planning, urban planning and the development of infrastructure in the region.

The Western Region comprises the Western Province and the Districts of Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara. It is the centre of economic and social development in this country. The population in this region is over five million and is the centre of human resource.

Since the Government's Policy is geared towards private sector led development the Ministry of WRD promotes joint partnerships among the public, private, community and volunteer stakeholders for activities in the Western Region.

To support this concept, Minister Mohamed has taken the initiative to set up the Western Region Development Council (WRDC) as the primary institution which coordinates and assists the Ministry to set the direction of economic and social development efforts in the Region. Its members include Ministry officials, officials of the National Department and Statutory Institutions, Private sector representatives from leading business Institutions, various Chambers and Professional Organisations. Chairman, Ceylinco Consolidated, Lalith Kotelawala heads this institution. The WRDC's functions include:

* To assist the Ministry to review its role and to develop a regional development strategy and program for the Western Region and to follow-up on implementation of the strategy and program

* To assist in the formulation, monitoring and evaluation of the regional long, medium and the short-term development plans and investment programs of the Ministry and make necessary recommendations

* Appraise, prioritise and recommend programs in the region

* Assist in the review of proposals made by the private sector

* Study and advise on recommendations made by sectoral committees

The WRDC full council meets once a month

Some of the proposals presented to the Council include -

* Colombo Metropolitan Regional Structure Plan-detailed guide identifying planning and infrastructure development for the Region

* Negombo Development Plan - Action projects identified to develop Negombo and its surroundings according to well-designed plan

* Relocation of Manning Market - Plans to release this valuable land for development and relocate market to create better environment and improve traffic management

* Investment Opportunities in Nuwara Eliya - Promoting opportunities to investors to develop a theme park, water sports activities on the lake, log cabins and camping sites

* Shop-House Concept-provides entrepreneurs to work from home with family involvement. Also plans to allocate land for disabled soldiers to start this shop-house concept, which was introduced by Ceylinco

* In the process of establishing a Revolving Fund and Instant lottery to make funds available to low income groups (especially women) to provide start up loans for their business ventures

* Monorail Project - Mass transport system

* Beira Lake Project - The project will focus on development of land surrounding the lake, in creating a lively atmosphere promote water recreational sports, linear parks on the lake reservation, cafes, restaurants on the lake front, re-housing of shanty dwellers high-rise buildings, water purification and management of the lake. These projects will cost about at Rs. 3 billion, the official said.

In addition, there will be several development projects in Horana and Peliyagoda.

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