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Colombo Makes One's Way

Sustainable improvement ever in the history

Colombo is one of the key cities in the Asian region which is rapidly booming in the world current context.

Colombo is the commercial centre of the country which contributes more than a half of the national GDP. Due to the three decade long ruthless battle the Colombo development had been ignored, but in the post war scenario the present government realized the necessity of its rapid development. Development plan is in progress under the 'Mahinda Chinthana' and it was commenced demolishing illegal structures which would greatly improve the efficiency of the drainage system. This was initiated in three dimensional steps under the purview of Secretary of Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksha as Long Term, Middle Term and Short Term programmes.

Under the short term projects the Sri Lanka Navy, the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation Board and the Development Corporation had been engaged in dredging and developing the canal system lies between the cities. The main aim was to improve the entire drainage system in the Metro Colombo region and to avoid accumulating of rain water on roads due to blockade of waste water gravity flow.

Beira Lake, Diyawanna Lake and other vital water retention areas have been dredged, de-silted and rehabilitated with significant improvements to the existing canal network. This canal net work a substitute mode of water based transportation for passenger and goods which would be very effective. Diyawanna Lake side has transformed to a better place for relaxation with its own natural panoramic view, and even people can enjoy paddle boating.

Re-location of government offices is a vital step and it is being carried out. The offices of the Defence Ministry, Chief of Defence Staff and the Headquarters of the Armed Services are being shifted out of Colombo. The famous land mark, Colombo St. John Fish Market has been re-located to Peliyagoda absolutely because of congested rackety noises which disturb city folk starting its activities since early dawn while the city is asleep. This busiest place prompted unusual city traffic all over the day and night. The Re-location has eased the situation altering influx of fish buyers and sellers. As of today the old building is undergoing refurbishment comprising stalls with adequate spaces.

In the middle term projects, infrastructure facilities will be developed and guaranteed overall prevention of city floods. A proper garbage disposal system has been arranged and the road network has been developed with pavements and CCTV. Pasting of posters has been restricted and those who engage in such prohibited activities will be fined according to the prevailing law. Some of Police Officers have assigned duties as Environmental Police to ensure dirty free city and avoid pollution. Beautification of Galle road and Marine Drive development simultaneously to the expansion of the one-way system has intensified the effectiveness. The introduction of bus lanes, creation of ample parking spaces, organized pedestrian crossings including disabled crossings and overhead bridges has given a qualitative and quantitative value to the 'Greener Cleaner Cities' concept.

In some of the long term plans, the architectural masterpiece 'Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksha Theatre' is a fully fledged performance centre situated in the heart of the Colombo adding elegance to the varying city. It facilitates easy access for both local and foreign producers. The 'Nelum Pokuna' Theatre has been surrounded by several five Star Hotels and also there are several commercial establishments located nearby.

The Colombo Dutch Hospital is considered to be one of the oldest buildings in the Colombo Fort dating back to the Dutch colonial era. It is now a heritage of the city with a shopping and dining precinct in area. The building which ranged from 1656 to 1776 AD has been restored while retaining its original Dutch architecture. It's centrally located surrounded by city hotels enriching its splendorous view giving much value to the city of Colombo comprising 12 stalls including restaurant, jewellery, textile and handicraft.

The Colombo Race Course was an abandoned piece of land which had been used for race horsing in 1893. Subsequently with the acquisition by the Royal Air Force it had been transformed into a short term airfield during the World War II. As of today, The Colombo Race Course refurbishment which began under the Colombo modernization and beatification project is a perfect structure which catches up tourist attraction in the city. The new refurbished Race Course mini stand is comprised of a pavilion, restaurants, a stationary shop, dress boutiques, sports shops, handy crafts and gifts shops. These kinds of elegant invaluable buildings with the aspiration of attracting visitors are an added value to the city development.

Brisk walk along Colombo's busy streets on the neatly paved pathways are an invitation to walkers from Galle face roundabout onwards. Beginning from the Beira Lake end, walk alongside the Galle face ground with gentle breeze sweeping around while entering into the sky high building paths through Galle Face Hotel up to Colpety shows the vast development.

Moreover, the marvellous pavement stretching along Bauddhaloka Mawatha is another picturesque area in the city from the road near Thunmulla Junction.

Driving from Rajagiriya, the pavements along with grassy green land sides fixed with garden chairs along the Diyawanna Lake enriches the panoramic view of the city. 'Diyatha Uyana' the recently opened horticulture sales zone catering the sales and marketing of local flora and tropical flowers a marvellous concept and adds much beauty to the whole town. Now it has been the central point of the local horticultural sales industry and already a popular place. The 'Parliament Green' was also opened for public recently, the green and fresh Parliament ground crowded and busy with those desire for some exercise, games, walking or jogging along the pavements. Night drive under the bright lights of the street lamps and walk along the courtly road sides shows ringing bells of development under the long term plans. In parallel, the Wetland park (Nawala) is an exclusive rest for people who desire for exercises and relaxation.

Construction of the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway project is progressing along with the other developments. It is going to be 25.8 km long expressway from the new Kelani Bridge to Katunayake and built as a high mobility link between the city of Colombo and Katunayake International Airport. Widely this is to improve mobility needs of the industrial development in the region and to trim down container traffic, while reducing traffic congestions on the A3 road (Peliyagoda-Puttalam road). Meanwhile, this would facilitate immigrant people, tourists, and entrepreneurs who are visiting Colombo and suburbs for feasibility studies. The ultimate objective of the road network is to link Galle with Katunayake International Airport facilitating many living in between the vicinity. Even though we possess an extensive road network, most of the roads were built about 50 years ago and do not possess the capacity to cope with the increasing traffic volumes. The Kotta road which links the Boralla junction and Rajagiriya which was an alternative to the main road is under road mending work to make it wider doubling its size to cater the influx of motorists to suburbs during the peak hours. This would ease the longstanding heavy traffic annoying residents and reduces the travelling time. Indirectly because of these decongesting, the unnecessary wastage of high prized fuel and human resource would save.

The Colombo port expansion project is underway aiming its gigantic involvement to the national income. Dedicatedly the port facility development would enhance the exports, imports and value added services adding healthy turn out to the national GDP. This will double the capacity of the Port of Colombo in container handling services expanding South Asian shippers at large with more efficient transhipment through connecting many of them. Meantime, the newly opened Dikkowita fisheries harbour is the largest fisheries harbour in Asia. New fisheries harbour stands on an 8.1 hectare area and has 11.7 hectares for the harbour basin. It is designed to handle a daily catch of 125 tons of fish per day creating direct and indirect job opportunities.

Slave Island Development has been approved by the cabinet and around eight acres covering Slave Island bordering with the former Education Department site have been earmarked. Under this project almost 456 house holders will be provided new houses with all the facilities in lieu of their individual properties. This would enable to transform the Slave Island area to an elegant setting which perks up the living standards.

Doing all this in a robust environment facing all the challenges existing is not seems like walking through a flourished rosy precinct at all. While encountering financial, political, environmental, local and international barriers the unstoppable thrust towards the wealth will be continued. This will not confine only to the Colombo, but also extending countrywide under the 'Mahinda Chinthana' together with 'Dayata Kirula' programme. Having Sri Lanka recognized one of the finest destinations for eco-tourism; country needs people's linkage into the chain of revival. The great icon behind all these successes is Secretary of Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is devoted to the countries development initiating innovative development projects ever.

Green Clean City of Colombo	Rehabilitated Canal System	Neatly paved pedestrian walk ways
Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksha Theatre	Colombo Dutch Hospital	Diyatha Uyana
Colombo Race Course	Parliament Green	Wetland Park (Nawala)
Constructions of Colombo Katunayake Highway	Colombo Port Extention	Dikowita Fisheries Harbour
New St. John Fish Market	Slave Island Development Project Sketch	Colombo CCTV