Sri Lanka to uplift capital Colombo to a world-class city

Despite facing a diverse set of challenges, uplifting the Sri Lankan capital city of Colombo to a world-class city is a key priority of the Government, the Defence and Urban Development Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said today.
Addressing the World Bank's South Asia Region Urbanization Knowledge Platform, in Colombo Tuesday (20) as the chief guest, Secretary Rajapaksa with its rapid growth the urban development of Colombo poses a diverse set of challenges such as underserved settlements, poor drainage and sewerage, unauthorized boutiques on pavements and roads and solid waste management. The Secretary noted that a very significant issue facing Colombo is the large number of people who live in underserved settlements throughout the city. He explained that many people who have migrated to the city from all over the country in the last few decades are poor and live in slums and shanties lacking basic facilities and sanitation. The living conditions of these people who live in the makeshift structures are bad and also criminal activity is rife among them, Rajapaksa further noted. "Finding a solution to this issue is one of the key challenges before the Government," he said. Another issue the city faces is the management of solid waste. The problem is not only limited to Colombo bust also remains in other major cities throughout the country, Secretary Rajapaksa said seeking input from other countries to solve the garbage problem. Rajapaksa also highlighted the challenge due to the unauthorized sidewalk stalls along the major roads that prevent the expansion of roads and reduce space available for commuters and the need to find a proper mechanism to enable them to retain their livelihoods, whilst relocating them so that they no longer obstruct pavements and roads and the proper maintenance of the city streets. Improving and redeveloping the infrastructure of city areas also poses a serious challenge for urban development in Sri Lanka, the Secretary Defense and Urban development said adding that the drainage system and flood control systems in the city require rapid improvements. He said the sewerage system, present only in the city limits, is quite overburdened. He told the forum that the government is taking massive measures to transform the city into a world-class city while taking particular care to improve the greenery of the city and the vitality of its public spaces. The government has already begun moving public institutions away from the capital to suburbs and also taking steps to improve regional cities. Secretary Rajapaksa hoped that Sri Lanka can learn a lot from the experts and participants from other nations present at the Knowledge Platform.