Cabinet nod to lease 37 acres for bird park in Madiwela

The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Tuesday approved the 30-year lease of 37 acres in Madiwela to build a bird park by a private sector firm chosen via competitive tender.

The Government said the proposal submitted by Colombo Bird Park Ltd. was recommended by the Standing Negotiation Committee appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers. Approval of the management board of the Urban Development Authority too had been obtained.

Proposals were called under competitive procurement methodology for establishing a bird sanctuary on a design-build-finance-and-operate basis on a plot of wetland in extent of 37 acres, one rood and 20.44 perches belonging to the UDA at Madiwela, Sri Jayewardenepura.

The approval by Cabinet this week was based on a resolution submitted by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Minister of Urban Development and Housing.

In June the State Ministry of Urban Development began preliminary work on the bird park, estimated to cost Rs. 1.5 billion.

State Minister Nalaka Godahewa is confident that the bird park once completed by 2025 will be a major tourist attraction.