New Rs. 1.37 b complex to replace Manning Market

Tuesday, 12 February 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Plans are underway to shift the Colombo Manning Market to Peliyagoda, where it will be re-established as a market complex with all its facilities.

The 25 acre-block of land, in close proximity to the Peliyagoda fish market, under the advice of the Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa is being constructed by the conduct of the Urban Development Authority (UDA).

According to Basil Rajapaksa the complex will meet the requirements of both farmer and consumer also the trader. Comprise among other facilities 100 two storeyed-wholesale vegetable stalls (each 120 square feet), 662 retail vegetable stalls, processing centre for vegetables and fruits for export, employees rest rooms, restaurants, service centre, parking space for 135 lorries and 200 cars. The UDA estimated cost of the market complex is Rs. 1357 million.

This was revealed at a meeting held at the Economic Development Ministry recently of which several representatives of many industries including Senior representatives of the Economic Development Ministry, UDA, Co-operatives and Internal Trade Ministry, Ports and Highways Ministry, Western Provincial Council, Colombo Municipal Council, Peliyagoda Urban Council and Manning Market Traders Association.

At present, the Manning Market is located in Colombo on a three-and-a-half acre land. Vegetables and fruits transported to the city from all parts of the island are sold to wholesale at this market, which was earlier situated at Kachcheri Road Colombo.

In 1983 it was shifted to the present Manning stores, which was built during the colonial era for storing sugar. Eight store rooms there were divided into small sections and given to wholesale and retail traders to be used as vegetable and meat stalls.

Currently there are nearly 1,178 wholesale and retail stalls at the Manning Market where facilities are very limited. Around 200 lorry loads arrive at the market from around 4:00 a.m. daily.

Almost 50,000 people arrive while almost 1,000 vehicles park themselves daily to purchases goods. In addition to nearly 2,000 labourers (naataamis) working daily, about 5,000 others are also employed at the market, according to Manning Market Traders Association President Lal Hettige.

Hettige says that the construction of the new market complex in Peliyagoda is a long-cherished dream of his come true.

He expressed his gratitude to the Minister and the Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa for taking the initiative to build the new market and the President’s guidance.

After the Manning Market shifts to Peliyagoda, the present market site will be refurbished and used as a new bus terminus with many facilities and a market complex for pavement hawkers. A cabinet decision on this was taken in December 2011.