UDA unveils One-Stop-Shop unit to promote rapid approval for development 

• OSS to boost transparency, facilitate investors with approval in 21 days for development applications 
• Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena says UDA’s OSS will be a game-changer for SL
• Urban Development and Housing Minister Ranatunga underscores importance of simplified approval processes, consistent policies to woo investments into SL

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena

Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga

UDA Chairman Nimesh Herath

In a breakthrough step forward, the Urban Development Authority (UDA) has launched a One-Stop-Shop (OSS) to lure new investments by fast-tracking approval for development applications.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena marked the launch of the facility along with Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga and UDA Chairman Nimesh Herath ceremoniously on Thursday at Waters Edge.

The OSS will facilitate entrepreneurs who have submitted all necessary documents to obtain approval for development permits in a fast-tracked manner of 21 days removing all unnecessary red tape which hindered growth. 

The system will also forward the applications for the approval of other relevant institutions necessary for the development permits. OSS comprises 26 institutions at present and a Scope Committee has been established to represent and monitor all institutions on board. The Scope Committee will give the final approval for the development permits. 

Speaking at the event Premier Gunawardena said the OSS will be a game-changer for the economic development of Sri Lanka.

“It is a milestone for the UDA as a public sector institution, to get all the information and approval from one place. This new unit is a great opportunity to explore technological advancements and contribute to the making economy. This process will be a unique record of the UDA and urban development. It will become a breakthrough in Sri Lanka’s development,” he added.

Prime Minister also highlighted that it was necessary to speed up the implementation of projects to ensure the attractiveness of the destination.

“All the local Government institutions and departments should join hands in the program to achieve these goals without delay. It is a necessary practice of efficient public service to fulfil the responsibility of the overall State sector institutions and to actively contribute to overcoming the economic crisis,” he explained.

Noting that regional countries work efficiently by capitalising on information technology, Premier Gunawardena insisted on adopting technology to all public institutions to improve productivity and delivery. 

He recalled that when the tsunami hit the coastal communities, the records from the UDA came to the rescue of many people as it was one major institution that had records of the plans passed to provide certificates and identity property ownership.

“The UDA is entrusted to effectively attract investment opportunities to the country nationally and internationally, I am confident this OSS will be a major contributor to the overall economic development,” Prime Minister Gunawardena said.

Urban Development and Housing Minister Ranatunga pointed out that investments will only flow into countries that have simplified approval processes and business-friendly policies. 

“The primary objective of introducing the OSS is to attract more investment by reducing the time for the approval process to issue development permits. It will also reduce fraud and corruption by enhancing transparency in the whole process. The system will provide a facility for high-ranking officials to monitor it anytime,” he explained.

Minister Ranatunga also said laws should be amended to take action against the bureaucracy if they fail to give approval within 21 days of submission of the development application.

“We all work for the public. This is not our personal agenda. Therefore, as public servants, it is our responsibility to proactively work to serve the needs of the people and rebuild our country. If we have a foreign exchange crisis, we need to launch initiatives to attract those. Our Ministry is working for that via the apartment sale for migrant workers. Sometimes, we need to introduce out-of-the-box initiatives to cater to the needs of the country, but the process should always be transparent,” he stressed.

The Minister commended the efforts taken by the UDA Chairman and Director-General to launch the OSS within a short span of time and the entire team of officials who supported the initiative to serve the investors in the immediate future. 

In 2022, UDA implemented 208 projects by spending Rs.3,264 million from the Treasury. In addition, five projects worth Rs. 10,158 million have been implemented this year with UDA funds.

State Ministers of Urban Development and Housing Arundika Fernando and Tenuka Vidanagamage, Ministry Secretary Pradeep Rathnayake, UDA Director-General Prasad Ranaweera, UDA Deputy Director-General (Planning Zone Two) Lalith Wijeratne, Ministerial Secretaries, Local Government officials and other officials participated at the event.