New leisure area for public and tourists

Monday, 21 February 2011 00:22 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Defence Ministry has decided to refurbish Colombo Fort and renovate its suburb as a tourism centre. Ancient buildings and historical monuments along Bank of Ceylon Mawatha, York Street, Church Road and Olcott Mawatha will be developed accordingly.

During the 30 years long dark period, which had been threatened by the brutal terrorism, the government had to demarcate several important areas of land with properties as high security zones. The beautiful surrounding of the Bank of Ceylon Headquarters also was tangled in the boundaries of high security zone in the capital city of Colombo.

Since the devastating LTTE terrorism has been defeated the concept of high security zone is also being eased from the strategies of Defence. The Dutch hospital in Colombo Fort has also been refurbished without any damage to the building's historic value.

As a first step of this long term project, the park alongside the Dutch hospital was earmarked for public entertainment by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa Friday evening (18). In the process of making the motherland, ''the wonder of South Asia" the previously imposed various restrictions have to be lifted and the city of Colombo will be developed as the most beautiful city in the South Asia.

More glamour was added to the event by music performances conducted by bands of three forces and Civil Defence Force.

The President's Secretary Lalith Weerathunga , Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa Transport Ministry Secretary Dhammika Perera and Sri Lanka Port Authority Chairman Dr. Priyath Banduwickrama and Director General of MCNS Lakshman Hulugalle also participated at this event.