Govt to complete new highways and railways by 2016 - Wimal

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

The government plans to complete the construction of new highways and railways by the end of 2016 under the National Physical Plan, Construction, Engineering Services Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa said at the launching ceremony of the National Physical Plan of Sri Lanka held at the BMICH under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

According to the minister these highways will be constructed by connecting Mannar, Padukka, Ratnapura, Hambantota, Moneragala and Batticaloa cities.

The ministry also plans to develop Colombo, Hambantota, Batticaloa, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Trincomalee and Jaffna cities as highly urbanized cities.

He also said that the plan will guide Sri Lanka's physical development up to 2030. All physical development activities will be directed by the National Physical Plan and Policy which provides the required guidelines for the development of the country. The minister also pointed out that under this new plan, maritime boundaries of the country will be increased by 22-28 percent. According to this plan central hills above 300 meters will be conserved.

"The government has already taken measures to create a radical change in the development of the country under the Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dekma considering the geographical situation of the country, the minister said."

The war has ended now and a peaceful environment is necessary to carry out development projects of the country under a proper plan.

"The government intends to develop the country economically through environment friendly development programmes with a wide vision. The government also pays its attention on the protection of historical heritage sites," he said.

Main objectives of the plan are to formulate National Physical Policies, Plans and Strategies and to ensure and monitor the implementation of such national policies and plans through regional and local plans with the objective of promoting and regulating integrated planning of economic, social, physical and environmental aspects of land and territorial waters of Sri Lanka.