Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake says the Government is pursuing a people-centred and sustainable approach to urban development, with the aim of creating cities where people can live comfortably rather than focusing solely on the construction of buildings.
The Minister made these remarks at the official launch of the “Life Cities” development programme, introduced under the “A New Approach to Urban Development” initiative in line with the Government’s “Cities for People – Built for Life” policy.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya also attended the event, held in Colombo.
Minister Rathnayake said the Government has allocated Rs. 65 billion for the development of 26 cities across the country.
He stressed that each city has its own character and requirements, noting that a school may serve as the focal point of one city while another may be centred around a different location or facility.
“Therefore, urban development must be carried out with a proper understanding of the unique character of each city,” he said.
The Minister explained that 10 cities were initially selected for the programme and that development activities would be carried out based on the principle that a city is more than simply a collection of buildings.
He called for work to commence immediately and said additional funding would be allocated based on the progress achieved by mayors in implementing the projects.
