Rs. 274 million SAARC face-lift for Colombo

Shirley WIJESINGHE

Colombo is to get a face-lift for the SAARC Summit and according to Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Mayor Imythias Mohamed, the project is to be completed before Friday (25).

"The total cost for the project is Rs. 274 million. The rehabilitation of roads, drains, roundabouts and sewer lines will be carried out before the coming SAARC Summit, the Mayor said.

The CMC Mayor yesterday was on an inspection tour to see the work in progress.

The estimated cost for the improvement of the Vihara Maha Devi Park will exceed more than Rs. 17 million and this will be spent on water proofing ponds and installing water jets for fountains.

The project is being specially implemented in areas where SAARC leaders are expected to visit and some ongoing projects will also be completed in the process.

Access roads to Cambridge Place junction, from Ibbanwala junction to Gamini Hall roundabout, Lake House roundabout together with the reconstruction of a number of pavements were among the selected areas for the rehabilitation work, he added.

Deputy Commissioner (Engineering Service) Visaka Dias and Director (Engineering) A. M. C. L. Fazal also joined the Mayor on his inspection.