President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed that the Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan be reviewed and that work on the project commence within this year, incorporating new proposals.

The decision was made at a special discussion held at the Anuradhapura District Secretariat yesterday (29).

Under the project, which has been expanded to an investment of Rs. 6.5 billion with the contribution of the Government of India, the boundaries of the Sacred City are to be expanded from 28 square kilometres to 38 square kilometres.

Accordingly, diesel vehicles emitting exhaust fumes will be restricted within the Sacred City, while an organised circular transport service using electric buses is to be operated under the Municipal Council.

Pedestrian lanes and cycling lanes are to be established for devotees, along with rest areas in a cool environment for those arriving by train and bus.

Rather than treating the archaeological sites merely as ruins, they are to be regarded as “living historical sites” where people continue to worship, with the necessary facilities to be provided for devotees.

Alternative arrangements involving the provision of land, houses or fair financial compensation are to be made for the resettlement of 331 families living in the Inner City area in the Lolugaswewa area.

The President has further instructed the Director General of the National Physical Planning Department to present the relevant plan to the Sacred City Development Committee on the 8th of next month and finalise the complete detailed plan by the 15th.