Kandy projects stuck for funds

Kandy’s mega development projects ahead of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in August is set to face financial difficulties with the relevant State institutions struggling to find strong financial backing to complete their development projects.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa this week issued a directive to complete all development projects prior to the 15th SAARC summit and related events from July 27 to August 3, to be held in Kandy. Most institutions have only had their usual budgetary allocations and would need additional funds to complete their projects or expand on existing projects, but so far no clear instructions have been given about how funds for the projects are to be obtained.

Construction of roads, new flyovers, and beautification of the city are among the plans for the town which is likely to receive well over 3,000 visitors. In addition to developing the International Buddhist Centre, rehabilitating roads (including improving drains and pavements and street lighting), leading from hotels to conference venues, renovation and upgrading of hotel facilities, establishing a special express train service from Colombo to Kandy, provision of special waiting rooms and special platforms for delegates at the railway stations in Colombo Fort and Kandy, traffic arrangements in Kandy, Kandy city infrastructure development, general clean up and decoration of Kandy city limits, upgrading emergency and security services, health facilities, ambulance services and fire services are some which should be completed by the end of June.

Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake said that although the Foreign Ministry is in charge of the general conference arrangements, supplying infrastructure facilities and arranging cultural programmes are the responsibility at the provincial level.“More than 3000 visitors would be gracing the event. From India alone more than 200 persons would be arriving. Kandy should be in excellent shape equipped to international standards and be an exemplary town,” he said.

The Summit would be held in two places. The prime venue would be the International Buddhist Centre while the youth conference, cultural programmes, exhibition and the IT conference would be held in the Engineering Faculty premises and the stadium of the Peradeniya University. Kandy District Secretary Gotabhaya Jayaratne said that priority has been given to development of the Kandy town.

“Infrastructure development is given priority with road rehabilitation and surfacing. We need to keep the town beautiful promoting interest in the town. We have specially requested that Government circuit bungalows be renovated and all concerned to prepare to give the best to the visitors and delegates who come to the summit,” he said.

To minimize traffic congestion four flyovers would be built by the end of May, he said. “We are also hoping to maintain international standards. This is the ideal time to finish whatever construction projects are in progress. Hoteliers should uplift their standards to meet international standards,” said Mr. Jayaratne.

We have informed each and every householder on main roads to colour wash their premises and create a pleasant, cleaner neighbourhood. He said that to improve the Kandy town by June was the main vision and as it would be a huge task the support of Kandy citizens was much needed.

It is also decided that all heritage buildings be white in colour so that they could be easily identified. The task would be carried out by the Kandy Municipal Council (KMC) and the Urban Development Authority (UDA) would monitor the process. KMC acting Mayor Suminda Wickremasinghe said the KMC has been entrusted with additional duties.

“Beautification and ensuring a cleaner town are our main duties. Colour washing of buildings and renovation of main roads have to be completed in a few months. Street lights too would be improved with poles made of steel. The KMC has decided to hand over the garbage clearing and disposal to a private company requesting it to put more effort into the garbage collection,” he said.

He added that the KMC had not allocated funds through the Budget for re-developing roads and was expecting Government funds to carry out the work within the town limits. RDA Provincial Director R.M.T.B. Ranatunge said rehabilitating the roads has already begun.

“The RDA requested utility companies like SL Telecom, Water Board and Electricity Board not to carry out construction work after the rehabilitation of roads as the roads may get damaged. We also advised the KMC to repair leaking water pipes immediately. In the Katugastota area there is an old water pipe which runs through the middle of the road and due to that it is difficult to repair the road,” said Mr. Ranatunge.

Mr. Ranatunge said the process of estimating the cost for the projects has begun so as to start the projects immediately with the funds presently available. UDA (zone II) Deputy Director General Janaki Hettiarachchi said the UDA would be involved in landscaping, beautifying the town and demolishing unauthorized constructions.

“We request vendors to support us, as their contribution to the betterment of the town is less, especially when it comes to maintaining cleanliness,” she said. Meanwhile, BMICH Director Bandula Ekanayake said the International Buddhist Centre at Pallekelle can accommodate more than 650 delegates.

“Major setbacks are getting the sound systems, interpretation systems and lighting, which have to be completed although the construction of the building is over. We are hoping to install wireless interpretation, which is the latest technology,” he said. He said the President wants to develop this centre to mark the SAARC Summit, as all the summits are held in Colombo and most of the time they are always held at the BMICH, adding that all the construction would end by June.

More than 3000 persons including nearly 1000 delegates, representing India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives would attend the summit.