(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa Thursday directed the Matara Municipal Council to expedite the Greater Matara Urban Development Plan in collaboration with the Urban Development Authority.
The Premier gave these instructions at a discussion held at Committee Room No. 2 of Parliament with the officials of the Urban Development Authority, the Matara Municipal Council and the Matara District General Hospital.
The objective of the Greater Matara Urban Development Plan is to create a more comfortable environment and urban amenities for the people living and visiting the city of Matara.
Minister of Mass Media Dullas Alahapperuma pointed out that it is essential to consolidate the administrative institutions in the city of Matara, to modernize the General Hospital and provide facilities and to build a proper car park. He also said that Matara is the only Municipal Council without a town hall.
Chairman of the Urban Development Authority Major General (Retired) Udaya Nanayakkara said the assistance of the Matara Municipal Council and the Matara General Hospital is needed to implement the new development plan.
According to the issues raised during the discussion, the premier also instructed the officials to expedite the construction of the security fence at the Nilwala River Bank Park in Matara as soon as possible.
Discussions also focused on reducing traffic congestion in Matara town and widening roads around Akuressa city.
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, State Ministers Lohan Ratwatte, Kanchana Wijesekera, Roshan Ranasinghe, Nalaka Godahewa, MPs Jayantha Ketagoda, Karunadasa Kodithuwakku, Nipuna Ranawaka, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Health Dr. SH. Munasinghe, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Chaminda Kularatne, Senior Assistant Secretary Priyanga Nanayakkara, Parliamentary Affairs Secretary to the Prime Minister Uditha Lokubandara, Deputy Secretary to the Treasury RMP Ratnayake, Director General of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing Anjali Devaraja, Chairman of the Housing Development Authority Major General (Retd.) Udaya Nanayakkara, Director General NPK Ranaweera, Mayor of the Matara Municipal Council Ranjith Yasaratne, Municipal Commissioner Kanchana Thalpawila and Director of the Matara District Hospital Dr. Malkanthi Mediwaka were also present.
