Mega project to develop Kelaniya commences in August

The Government is planning to build a City within a city in the North of Colombo called Colombo Centre point.

150 acres of prime land owned by the Government in the Kelaniya electorate located between the Colombo, Negombo Road and Colombo Kandy Road has been already earmarked for an integrated development project. The Project is expected to commence in August this year.

The project when completed will have a Mega mall duty free shopping, 1000 display and sales outlets for small scale industrialists and enterprises, housing complexes, air port services and a host of other facilities such as playgrounds, parking etc.,

The project will initially start with the building of 1000 outlets for sales and display of Sri Lankan products for tourists. The 2005 Budget has allocated Rs. 400 Million for this project which will provide an opportunity for small scale producers to display and sell their products to tourists.

The other proposed developments will commence from next year with the participation of the private sector.

Minister of Advanced Technology & National Enterprise Development Rohitha Bogollagama visited the proposed site on an inspection tour on Saturday, on the invitation of Deputy Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Sripathi Sooriyaraachi.

The Minister inspected the location and plans prepared and instructed officials of the UDA, to prepare an integrated development plan to be forwarded to the Cabinet. The project is to commence under the Ministry of Advanced Technology and National Enterprise Development.

In order to support local industry and enterprise to set up a sales and display center to cater to 600,000 tourists arriving in the country annually, the government has allocated funds in the 2005 budget proposals.

'We hope to utilise the resource on a new town and according to UPFA Government policies build, special economic zones for products, International Mall-Tax free shopping, and tourist and airport services will be provided at the venue Minister Bogollagama said.

Secretary to the Ministry of Advanced Technology Lal Kumara Gamage and officials of the UDA were also present.