Boralesgamuwa to receive facelift

Uditha Kumarasinghe

COLOMBO: The Government is to develop Boralesgamuwa as a new town with a new facelift under a new township development programme formulated by the Urban Development Authority (UDA).

Following the establishment of new local bodies in the Colombo district, Boralesgamuwa was made an Urban Council.

As the top priority of the council, steps have been taken to re-establish Boralesgamuwa as a new town, an Urban Development and Water Supply Ministry spokesman told the Daily News.

The initial discussion on the proposed township development programme was held at the Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara on August 17 chaired by Urban Development and Water Supply Minister Dinesh Gunawardane.

Chief Incumbent of Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera and the members representing all political parties of the Urban Council also attended the discussion.

The township development programme also includes the development of the Veres ganga, Katu Ela and the preservation of the Bellanwila bird sanctuary and other key environmental sites such as wetlands and green zones in the area.

Steps will be taken to set up environment friendly industries and an Information Technology Centre, the spokesman said.

Boralesgamuwa is known for its many unique facets. This includes several places of historical importance such as Bellanwila Raja Maha Vihara, Pepiliyana Sunethradevi Pirivena and environmental richness such as the bird sanctuary, wetlands, green zones and Veres ganga. In addition a large number of State lands which can be developed are situated within the Boralesgamuwa Urban Council area.

Meanwhile, the National Physical Planning Department of the Ministry is also formulating necessary plans to develop the Bellanwila Raja Maha Vihara as a state sponsored sacred city of religious importance, he said.

Minister Gunawardane will shortly submit this plan for Cabinet approval making the necessary arrangements to declare the Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara as a sacred city.