Rs. 65 bn allocated to develop 26 cities: Minister
– The Government has allocated Rs. 65 billion to develop 26 cities across the country under its “Life Cities” development program Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Ratnayake said today.Speaking at the inauguration of the program in Colombo, the Minister said the Government had initially selected 10 cities for the first phase of the project.He said the program would focus on people-centered and sustainable urban development suited to the needs and identities of individual cities.“It is easiest for those who lead provinces, such as ministers and governors, and those who have power, to develop cities. But the soul of some cities may be a school or another place,” he said.Therefore, urban development should be carried out with a proper understanding of the identity and needs of each city, he said.
The Minister said the concept of a city had changed over time and that cities should be developed according to their own identities while ensuring that people could live comfortably.He said necessary support would be provided to municipal and provincial councils involved in the program The Government had prepared the development plans in line with its “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life” policy, he said.Minister Ratnayake also called on mayors and local government representatives to ensure that public confidence in the program was protected.“We have allocated funds. Start work from tomorrow. Funds for future work will be allocated based on the progress shown by the mayors,” he said.The project plans for the first phase were presented to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya by Minister Ratnayake and Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara.
The plans were subsequently handed over to local government representatives of Matara, Batticaloa, Matale, Vavuniya, Badulla, Jaffna, Chilaw, Hatton, Thalawa and Eheliyagoda.
