Supplementary estimate to improve quality of life

Uditha KUMARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE

Chief Government Whip and Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardane presented a paper seeking Parliamentary approval for a Supplementary Estimate to the tune of Rs. 1,715 million to uplift the quality of life of the people in Lunawa area by improving a hygienic and pleasant environment under the Lunawa Environment Improvement and Community Development project.

The project's major objective is to alleviate the flood problem by improving the storm water drainage system for the benefit of communities in the Southern part of Dehiwala - Mt.Lavinia Municipal Council and the Northern part of Moratuwa Municipal Council.

"We have prioritised to upgrade the living conditions of the communities living along canal banks," he said.

It will also cater to the communities identified for resettlement.

The main civil works of the project will consist of construction of canals and drains to convey storm water, bridges and culverts across canals and drains, roads along canal banks, peripheral road and gabion bank protection of Lunawa Lagoon etc. The project was commenced in early 2006 and will be completed in September 2009.

It was earlier envisaged to complete most of the work in 2008 but due to delays in land acquisition and clearing process, the work spilled over to 2009. Further on the request of the Municipal Councils, savings from the project were also utilised for the mandatory work such as reinstatement of damaged roads and additional drains which are also scheduled to be completed by December 2009.

The project was commenced under the JBIC (JICA) loan amounting to 6,906 million Japanese yen.