Attention has been drawn to the Kelani River flood control project, water management initiatives in Colombo city, the restoration of Beira Lake, and the need for a special housing program for low‑income families in Ratmalana and Moratuwa.
These priorities were emphasized during a meeting held on Monday (18) between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and senior officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) at the Presidential Secretariat.
Minister of Urban Development Bimal Ratnayake underscored the necessity of adopting a special model for the proper management of certain projects to ensure effective implementation and sustainability.
President Dissanayake stressed that allocations made for new UDA projects must be fully utilized within the current financial year. He also highlighted the importance of finalizing projects in consultation with relevant institutions, assigning clear responsibilities for both implementation and long‑term maintenance.
The meeting reviewed several major initiatives, including flood mitigation along the Kelani River, urban water management schemes, and housing programs aimed at improving living conditions for low‑income communities in Colombo’s suburbs.
Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, Ministry Secretary Senior Prof. Kapila Perera, UDA Chairman M.G. Hemachandra, and heads of the Urban Settlement Development Authority (USDA), Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC), National Physical Planning Department (NPPD), and the Co‑Management Authority (CMA) joined the discussions alongside senior state officials. (Newswire)