Colombo to be transformed into truly world class city: Def. Secy

“The Metro Colombo Urban Development Project and its successful implementation, together with other initiatives of the Government to develop Colombo, will help transform this city into a truly world class one,” said Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday.

He expressed these views delivering the key note address at the inauguration ceremony of the Metro Colombo Urban Development Project (MCUDP) at Waters Edge, Battaramulla.

MCUDP is a US$ 223 million World Bank-funded, three-year urban regeneration program aimed at reducing the physical and socioeconomic impacts of flooding in the Metro Colombo region and improving priority local infrastructure and services.

The project will be managed by the Project Management Unit of the Ministry headed by Eng. Rohan Senevirathne under the guidance and direct supervision of Secretary Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The implementation responsibilities rest with three agencies: Sri Lanka Land Reclamation & Development Corporation (SLLRDC), Urban Development Authority (UDA) and the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).

Key components of the project include:

 (1) Flood and drainage management.

 (2) Urban development, infrastructure rehabilitation and capacity building for metro Colombo local authorities.

 (3) Implementation support.

Commander (SLN) Eng. Chaminda Ariyadasa delivered the welcome address. Country Director of the World Bank in Sri Lanka Diarietou Gaye delivering her address said that the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ emphasises the development of Metro Colombo as a priority and 50 per cent of Sri Lanka has already been urbanised. She further asserted that the World Bank treats MCUDP as a critical and high priority project.

Task Team Leader of the World Bank in Sri Lanka Rosanna Nitti addressing the distinguished gathering praised the dynamic leadership of Secretary Defence and Urban Development. A comprehensive project overview was presented by Eng. Rohan Senevirathne – the Project Director MCUDP and Additional Secretary (Technical).

Ambassadors, diplomats, mayors of the Metro Colombo Region, World Bank country representatives and high ranking Government and military officials were present at the occasion.