Sri Lanka will be made Asia's pride

Sri Lanka will be made Asia's pride
It is not slums but the economic system that disfigures the City. President Rajapaksa made this reference launching the "Nagamu Purawara" programme today (21 Feb).
The President said that some claim that the City of Colombo has become horrible and unattractive due to houses with less facilities. The Government is not prepared to accept it. It is the prevailing economic system that disfigures the City. This system has to be completely changed. There are 1492 slum dwellings in the city. The President said the government has crafted a programme to upgrade and improve facilities.
The Government's target is to make Sri Lanka the Pride of Asia. To achieve this goal all towns had to be developed and made the most attractive places. This is the aim of the of the programme launched today. He noted that different communities lived in slums in unity sans their differences. The President said the programme should be considered another major humanitarian operation mooted by the Government.
The project which kicked off at 21 cebtres in the City, will replace the slums and dilapidated housing schemes to suitable dwelling places, provide sanitary and common bathing facilities and develop adequate waste and drainage facilities, access roads, power, and drinking water facilities. Initially, 354 housing complexes around Colombo sans basic facilities would receive attention in the provision of necessary amenities. Plans are also afoot to clean and maintain about 42 km of roadways around the area, to provide necessary repairs to flats and develop other common facilities under the project.