New playground, officers' mess for KDU

Sandasen Marasinghe

Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa opened the new playground and the six storeyed officers' mess at the Kotalawala Defence University yesterday.

These two were of a series of projects that are being underway to provide facilities for the Defence University as well as the society. Several projects are underway to find a solution for the inundation in the area, to provide recreation facilities, enhance the beauty of the area and improving the living standards of the people.

The Kandawala lake adjoining the four and half acre playground is being renovated by increasing its capacity to provide a solution for the inundation while people can use it for water sports such as pedal boats. A foot path and a restaurant are also being constructed. The existing two sluice gates of the Kandawala lake will also be extended.

The estimated cost of the six storeyed Warrant Officers', Sergeants' and Petty Officers' Mess was Rs 85 million but Rs 24 million could be saved as the project was carried out by the KDU with the support of the forces.

The estimated cost of the playground was Rs 44 million and Rs 25 million could be saved as the KDU obtained the support of the forces to construct the playground. An international standard running track of 400 m with eight lanes and a pavillion will be constructed in due course. 'The estimated cost of the rennovation of the 31,000 square metre Kandawala lake is Rs 40 million.

Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke, Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama, Navy Commander Vice Commander Jayantha Colombage, Kotalawala Defence University Vice Chancellor Major General Milinda Peiris also participated.