President spearheads urban development drive

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa  

• Instructs to resume all large-scale building constructions, expedite work on road networks
• Stresses to fast-track East and West terminals of Colombo Port 

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed officials to focus on rapid development of several main cities in the country, including Colombo.

A discussion focused on infrastructure and urban development was held on Monday at the Presidential Secretariat with the participation of ministry secretaries, officials of the institutions affiliated to the Urban Development Authority (UDA), Road Development Authority (RDA), Board of Investment (BOI) and Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).

With the resumption to normalcy, the President pointed out it was necessary to accelerate the development activities which were interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also emphasised on the need to initiate new development activities to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs) instead of seeking foreign loans.During the discussion, President stressed on the need to fast-track both East and West terminals of Colombo Port in the immediate future.

The President also instructed the officials to resume all the large-scale building construction and development work in the city of Colombo, which have been discontinued due to various reasons, in consultation with relevant parties.  

A decision was reached to expedite the work of the proposed road network connecting Colombo and other cities.

It was also proposed to use unutilised lands on either side of the roads for eco-friendly cultivation activities.

In addition, a mechanism to facilitate acquiring lands for development projects as well as construction of houses for low, middle and high income families was also discussed.

The possibility of constructing housing schemes with all amenities and renting them out to the migrants was also explored.

Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera was also present at the discussion.