The project to construct a modern planned City within Colombo by reclaiming the sea in front of the Colombo Galle Face green is now being implemented. Accordingly, the sea belt stretching from the new brakewater of the Colombo South Harbour to the Presidential Secretariat is being reclaimed to be used for this purpose. The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrema said that no damage will be caused to the turf at the Galle Face Green by this project.
The objective of the project is to turn Colombo city into a place with more facilities for the people and to construct the city according to a proper development plan. The new City would be fully equipped with many recreational centers such as golf courses and tracks for motor car racing.
Dr. Priyath B.Wickrema said that in accordance with the intention of the President to expand the Colombo City by having a modern City adjoining the Port, 500 acres of sea territory adjoining the new Colombo Port Project will be filled. He said that there will be three access roads to this Modern City and one access road will be connected with the marine drive. The second would be constructed opposite the Presidential Secretariat, and the Light House entrance of the Colombo port would be upgraded as the third access road. The preliminary work on the planned city is to be completed in 3 years
A project of this nature has become necessary due problems being faced in the Colombo City including environment pollution, blocking of the drainage systems, road traffic congestion, floods etc. The feasibility study and environmental impact assessment are being completed.
He said that the SLPA would conduct the project with the technical assistance and consultancy services provided by the University of Moratuwa and Lanka Hydraulic Institute. A rail track is to be developed around the new city and would be the major mode of transport in the city. Park and Drive concept will be introduced in the city so that anyone entering the city will park their vehicles at specified parking locations and take a train ride to go around the city.
The new city will have high rise housing complexes, multiplex office buildings, hotels, shopping malls, tourist sites, recreation facilities, banks and other service centres etc.
Filling of land for this project will be done by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority at an approximate cost of 250 Million U.S.Dollars. When the filling and the landscaping work is over local and international tenders will be called for implementing construction of infrastructure and other facilities.
Building this New Colombo City on Sea will be carried out in coordination with the Urban Development Authority, Colombo Municipal Council, All Service Ministries, and the Archaelogical Department,. The Urban Development Authority will prepare schematic diagrams for the new City after completion of the filling work.
