Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2018-02-20

Implementation of the Sustainable Urban Development Project

- Under the Strategic Cities Development Programme implemented by the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development, 13 cities namely Kandy, Galle, Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Badulla, Ratnapura, Matara, Kurunegala, Nuwara Eliya and Dambulla have been identified to be developed as Strategic cities. The sustainable urban development project implemented under the said Strategic Cities development programme, the urban city centres out side Colombo with high growth potential in economic corridors spread across the country will be developed.

In this respect, through the development of basic service improvements, focus will be made on minimizing the gaps existing in large scale infrastructure facilities, enhancing mobility and connectivity between the urban centres, improvement of urban facilities, heritage conservation, improvement of sanitation activities related to environmental conservation and livelihood improvements in the towns. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, the Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, to implement the proposed Sustainable Urban Development Project and to secure the funds necessary for the purpose, was approved by the Cabinet.