By: Staff Writer
February 27, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Urban Development Authority is to finalise 22 mixed development, waterfront, residential, IT and tourism projects from 2024 onwards, with another 5 projects still in the process of clearance, Director of Real Estate Management and Development Anura Prasanna of the UDA said.
According to Prasanna, the 21 billion rupees in revenue that is to be gained from the investments into these properties is not the final value of the projects.
In addition these mega mixed development initiative a unified tourism and economic promotion plan had been mooted under one Colombo Fort geographical brand building project.
A collaborative effort between the State and the private sector, the project is spearheaded by developmental catalyst Dr. Dinesh Watawana and the Daily FT, highlighting the increasingly pivotal role of media as advocates of progress.
Colombo Fort is laced with history and modern infrastructure, but is a far cry from developing into a cohesive tourism and economic model that could lay claims to being a showpiece city. The need of the hour is a futuristic plan and advocacy that can make it happen.
OCF’s mandate is to bring together all the stakeholders, including the State machinery, premier blue chips, and the SMEs, inspiring change through advocacy, turning eye-sores into attractions, creating resourceful new ideas while carving out a vibrant brand under One Colombo Fort, built on a structured sustainable plan of growth.
The OCF team is creating a model of growth where the media doesn’t merely report but emerges as advocates of progress who help create shared value. In creating a strong geographical brand, the OCF team envisages to expand its domain to include Colombo Port City,
Galle Face and Colombo Fort’s immediate environs into a one-stop that offers discerning local and international tourists a destination on the ethos of sustainable and responsible tourism.
Primary research of the geographic location is already underway in order to establish the historic milestones, locations already reflecting sound values, neglected and decaying landmarks.
Creative conceptual plans are also being mooted which will attract tourists, creating a boom for Colombo Fort while at the same time, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s showpiece city grows under the ethos of sustainability and responsibility.
The OCF campaign hopes to bring on board Colombo Fort’s colonial architects in an attempt to create modern-day relevance, building cross-cultural harmony, opening the door to greater tourism between the countries.
Transforming Colombo Fort will form a case study in just how the media, professionals and State-private partnerships can combine to maximise the Sri Lankan potential at a time when a cohesive, collective front forms a prerequisite to bringing the country out of the protracted economic impasse.
