Galle City Development Project discussed
President Chairs Discussion on Accelerating Galle City Development Project
A discussion on expediting the implementation of the Galle City Development Project, being carried out under the Major Urban Development Program, was held at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The President reviewed the progress of initiatives aimed at developing Galle, a World Heritage city, into a leading cultural and tourist destination. Discussions also focused on challenges encountered during project implementation and possible solutions to address them.
Special attention was given to securing the land needed to relocate several key public institutions currently located in the city center, including the police station, post office, prison, and nursing training school.
The meeting also discussed measures to attract investment and secure funding for new development projects.
Emphasizing the need to develop Galle within a comprehensive, well-planned urban development strategy, the President highlighted the importance of close coordination among all relevant government institutions.
The President noted that such collaboration is essential in matters relating to urban planning, the relocation of government institutions outside the Galle Fort area, the construction of buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, as well as the effective and productive utilization of land resources.
The President pointed out that the Urban Development Authority bears a particularly significant responsibility in ensuring the successful implementation of these development initiatives.
Extensive deliberations were held on plans to develop the Galle Fort and its surrounding coastal area as a premier tourist destination while ensuring the preservation of its heritage value.
Attention was further directed towards establishing a central administrative complex to house all government offices in Galle, enabling the public to access services more conveniently. Discussions also covered road development projects centered on Galle City, as well as proposals to develop the existing School of Aesthetic Studies.
Among those present were Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, Members of Parliament Nishantha Perera, T. K. Jayasundara, Nishantha Samaraweera, Hasara Liyanage and Thilanka U. Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, Engineer L. B. Kumudulal, Director General of the Ministry of Health H. M. N. Dinipriya, Additional Director General of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board V. Vasudevan, Director of the Department of National Planning S. A. R. Tharanga, Director General of the Department of National Budget Jude Nilukshan, Director General of the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, Engineer S. A. K. Subasinghe, Additional General Manager of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Engineer N. R. S. Wickramasinghe, Chief Secretary of the Southern Province Chandima C. Muhandiramge, Secretary to the Chief Ministry of the Southern Province Krisantha W. Mahendra, Director of the Southern Province Urban Development Authority, Thushani de Alwis, Galle District Secretary K. U. Chandralal, and officials and representatives of all institutions involved in the implementation of the Galle City Development Project under the Urban Development Authority.