Manning Market to be moved

The Manning Market is to be relocated to Peliyagoda from its current location near the Fort Railway Station.

Manning Market Podu Velenda Sangamaya Secretary Gamini Handunge said that discussions were currently underway between them and the UDA, which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Defence.

The decision to move the Manning Market, which stands on prime property in Colombo, comes after the Government moved the St. John’s wholesale fish market, which was also located in the heart of Pettah, to Peliyagoda. It is now the Peliyagoda Central Fish Market Complex.

Regarding the moving of the Manning Market, the vendors had highlighted to the Podu Velenda Sangamaya that they may have a problem in storing crates until the shifting process completes. The Government has made it compulsory that crates now be used for storage, transportation and displaying fresh local vegetables and fruits. The vendors had highlighted that storage of crates would be an issue when this relocation takes place, as they would have to find a large area to keep the crates.

Presently renovation is being done to the St. John’s Building in Pettah to make it a ‘gold souk’.

The Peliyagoda Central Fish Market Complex is a brand new building built on 3.7 acres of land along the Katunayake Expressway. This was built with an investment of Rs. 1.9 billion, funded by the Government and the Asian Development Bank. The new Peliyagoda Fish Market Complex houses 148 wholesale stalls and 128 retail stalls. It also features a flake ice plant, blast freezer room, cold rooms, cafeteria, shopping, banking and office space as well as ample parking.(SS)