President tells hill country business community:

Kandy to be made world-class city

Rasika Somarathna in Kandy

*Airport for domestic flights

*Major sports complex at Bogambara

Some envisaged plans to develop Kandy under the Rs 20 b project:

* William Gopallawa Mawatha to be developed as a four lane fully carpeted road with walk ways for pedestrians from Getembe to Katugastota
* An airport for domestic flights is to be established
* Five commuter tunnels are to be developed linking all key locations in the city
* A network of flyovers (Sri Lanka’s highest) are to be established linking the bus stops, hospital, station and other key locations within the city
* Three bus stands are to be developed namely, goodshed, near the clock tower and at Bogambara
* Separate shopping complex for pavement hawkers
* New housing units for tenement dwellers within the city.
* Kandy market complex to be upgraded to an ultra modern shopping complex
* An underground tunnel for vehicle traffic from Bogambara to Tennekumbura. The prison is to be shifted ensuring 13 acres of prime land in the midst of the city for other development.
* Consumer friendly shopping mall, vehicle parks
* A world class sports complex to be established at Bogambara.

A Rs 20 billion development plan is underway in Kandy to give the world heritage metropolis a major facelift under a Presidential initiative. President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the business community and professionals in Kandy on Sunday said that the city would be developed and facilities expanded, maintaining its cultural value, historical significance and scenic beauty.

He said that Kandy would be developed as a world-class city preserving its past glory.

“It is to be developed under the green and walking city concept with a gamut of facilities to afford comfort for both city dwellers and visitors,” President Rajapaksa said. Emphasis has been given to the welfare of city dwellers, minimizing congestion, keeping the city clean, expansion of infrastructure, adequate drinking water and streamlining the transport sector cum road network.

The President also stressed that the 58-year UNP rule in the council had failed to fulfill needs and aspirations of the city dwellers and had also failed to develop Kandy.

“Fifty eight years is enough, you and me, both have a responsibility to develop Sri Lanka’s second largest town, Sri Lanka’s last kingdom and one which houses the Sacred “Tooth Relic,” he told the business community and professionals of Kandy.

The President noted that Sri Lanka was taking giant strides in economic and other areas and had emerged as a middle income earning country.

“We have to keep Kandy in pace with this rapid development”, he added.

President Rajapaksa said that the government had faced certain difficulties in enacting development work in Kandy due to interference by the UNP led Municipal Council.

Despite these obstacles every effort had been taken to develop the city. The development of the roads in and around the city is testimony to the fact he said. The President noted that the government had already spent Rs three billion for development in Kandy during recent times and added that a UPFA led council would further help the government to fast track development in the city.

He urged those present to work towards ensuring a UPFA led Municipal Council at the forthcoming polls to supplement this progress.

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne, Ministers Keheliya Rambukwella and Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake and Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa also participated.