President inspects trade complex being built for sidewalk traders

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa inspected the new trade complex currently being built for the sidewalk vendors in the Nugegoda city, a suburb of the Sri Lankan capital Colombo.


The trade complex building with a large open space provides room for nearly 500 traders who were prevented from selling their merchandise on the sidewalks and evacuated few months ago.


The Cabinet earlier this month approved the new Town Centre development project in Nugegoda to build the trading center to enable the hawkers to continue their trade without inconveniencing the pedestrians.
The new building is being built near the Nugegoda supermarket building in a land belongs to the Kotte Municipal Council. Initially 186 shops have been constructed at a cost of Rs.18 million.
The Kotte Municipal Council is entrusted with the maintenance of the complex. Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau was awarded the contract for construction.
Ministers Susil Premajayantha, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Parliamentarians Duminda Silva and Thilanga Sumathipala accompanied the President.