Colombo to witness overhaul

Chaminda PERERA

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday said unauthorized structures blocking the waterways and reservation lands caused floods in the Colombo city.

He said that lack of proper drainage system has also contributed to this situation.

The Defence Secretary was delivering the 7th Sujata Jayawardena Memorial Oration at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute in Colombo. The theme of the memorial lecture was Development plan for the city of Colombo.

This memorial lecture was organized by the Alumni Association of the Colombo University.

Defence Secretary Rajapaksa said that the Sri Lanka Navy has been involved in the development of the canal system in the Colombo city and 80 percent of the project has been completed.

He said the Beira Lake in the heart of the city would be dredged. He also said the overall environment in the city will be developed with the completion of this project. The Defence Secretary said a ferry service and surfing and boat service can be introduced after the completion of this project.

The Defence Secretary added that the Defence Ministry including the Chief of Defence Staff office and Headquarters of Tri Forces would be relocated in the country's administrative capital - Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte soon.

He added that the Government had comprehensive plan for the development of Colombo as a historical city and a hut of commercial activity. He added that all landmark buildings in the Colombo Fort such as the Cargills building and Grand Oriental Hotel would become places of special attraction.

The Defence Secretary said that the country has enormous potential to attract emerging middle class population in India to promote investment and tourism in the country.

He was of the opinion that Colombo will benefit by setting up educational institutes of international standards to cater to foreign students.

Rajapaksa added that Colombo city should be converted as a commercial hub of the world. He said the Government has planned to relocate slum and shanty dwellers in high rise apartments within the Colombo city.

He said half the population in the Colombo city are living either in unauthorized structures and their living standards need to be upgraded by providing proper housing units.

The Defence Secretary added that commercial activities will be launched in the lands where unauthorized dwellings are removed.

Organizing Committee Chairman and Alumni Association Past President Thilak Karunaratne, President PW Senaratne and Vice President Prof Kshanika Hiriburegama were present.