Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has focused on launching an accelerated urban development drive centering on Colombo and other main cities in the country as the country returns to normalcy from COVID-19 pandemic. A discussion on plans to be implemented was held Monday (11) at the Presidential Secretariat with the secretaries of the ministries, and senior officials of the Urban Development Authority, Road Development Authority, Board of Investment and Ports Authority.

The President stressed that the development projects that were stalled should be accelerated with the public life and economic activities returning to normal in all districts.

He emphasized that the new development work should be carried out only through investments without obtaining foreign loans and should be in compliance with local policies.

Special attention was paid to expedite the development of the Eastern and Western terminals of Colombo Port.

The discussion also focused on identifying and acquiring lands for development projects and the construction of housing projects targeting low middle and upper-income groups.

Attention was also drawn to build housing units with all amenities targeting those coming from overseas for long-term stays. These housing units are to be given on a rental basis.

The President instructed the relevant officials to re-commence all projects and construction of large buildings in the Colombo city and adjacent areas which had been halted for various reasons.

It was also discussed to expedite the construction of the road network connecting the Colombo city and several other cities. The President emphasized that the environmental safeguards should be observed in all development projects.

It has also been decided to accelerate the construction of the road network connecting the Colombo city and several other cities.

It was also proposed to implement environmentally friendly agriculture projects identifying unused land on both sides of the developed roads.

Secretary to the President Dr PB Jayasundera was also present.

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