SL, Japan to sign key document to start Kandy urban development project

Saturday, 8 October 2016 00:01 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka and Japan on Monday will take a further step towards the new Kandy urban development program by signing the bilateral “Record of Discussion” for the project.

It will be signed by Secretary, Ministry of Megapolis & Western Development, Nihal Rupasinghe and, Chairman, UDA, Dr. Jagath Munasinghe in the presence of Minister of Megapolis & Western Development Champika Ranawaka for the Sri Lankan side and Senior Representative of JICA – Sri Lanka Office Toru Kobayakawa for the Japanese side.

The UDA and JICA are to commence a technical cooperation project to formulate the urban development vision and detailed urban plans towards the objective of enhancing the value and attractiveness of Kandy as a historic and touristic city, and realising its unique socio-economic potential while preserving its ancient heritage sacred to Buddhists around the world.

Through the project, JICA will support the UDA to prepare the urban development vision for the Kandy metropolitan area, with detailed urban plans including urban design guidelines and regulations to protect and sustain the heritage city area and recommend sustainable systems and a strategic investment proposal to implement the development plans.

“Kandy has a unique heritage and history which people from around the world gather to Sri Lanka to experience. More importantly, Kandy is a city very close to the heart of Sri Lankan people, for its significance to the Buddhists as well as other religions, and its importance in history as the last ancient kingdom. We look forward to sharing the Japanese experiences and lessons in developing such ancient cities in Japan, to help develop the true potential of Kandy. The key to successful development planning is mutual consultation and consensus-building with the many stakeholders, and we will make every effort to support UDA to do so in implementing the project, JICA Sri Lanka Office Chief Representative Kiyoshi Amada said.

JICA is also financing the on-going Kandy City Waste Water Management Project.

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