Govt. kicks off work on Ja-Ela Logistic Park

The Urban Development Authority (UDA) launched a new investment project called the Logistic Park in Ekala, Ja-Ela on Monday.

A 36-acre undeveloped land belonging to the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation at Ekala, Ja-Ela has been selected for the commencement of this new project and the land is currently owned by the UDA.

The project was initiated on the instructions of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as Urban Development and Housing Minister under the patronage of State Minister of Urban Development, Sewage Disposal and Public Sanitation Dr. Nalaka Godahewa. 

The Ministry of Urban Development and Housing states that the construction of such a logistics park for the first time in this area, centred on the Colombo Port and the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport, is a major investment in the country.

According to the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, up to $ 50 million in foreign exchange could be generated from storage facilities alone from the first year of the project to the next 10 years  as well as generate new jobs.

The project will be developed as a  public-private partnership with the investor who has been selected through competitive bidding process.

Secretary to the Minister of Urban Development, Waste Disposal Dr. Nalaka Godahewa and Secretary to the Minister of Urban Sanitation Sirinimal Perera, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Udaya Nanayakkara, Urban Development Authority Chairman and Access Engineering PLC Chairman Sumal Perera were present at the launch of the project.