ගාල්ලේ සියලු රජයේ කාර්යාල එක ගොඩනැගිල්ලකට

A special discussion was convened this afternoon (10) at the Presidential Secretariat, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with the aim of further expediting the activities of the Galle City Development Project, in parallel with the main city development program.

The current progress of programs aimed at transforming Galle, considered a World Heritage City, into a high-level tourist and cultural city, was reviewed by the President. A broad exchange of ideas also took place regarding practical issues that have arisen during project implementation and potential swift solutions. The President emphasized the need to develop infrastructure according to a systematic urban plan,  

It was pointed out that the Urban Development Authority has a unique responsibility for relocating state institutions outside Galle Fort, constructing new roads and buildings, and maximizing land productivity. He also explained the importance of all state institutions acting in an integrated manner for this purpose. Additionally, officials' attention was drawn to securing new investments required for these projects and allocating funds for construction.

Special attention was also paid during this discussion to the process of acquiring the necessary land to relocate the police station, post office, prison, and nursing training school, currently located in the city center, to other suitable locations. Discussions also focused on bringing all scattered government offices in Galle city under one main administrative building to provide easier access to services for the public without any hindrance, and on further promoting the existing School of Aesthetics. Furthermore, future plans for developing Galle Fort and its surrounding coastline to a high standard, continuously attracting both local and foreign tourists, were also further investigated.

Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, Members of Parliament Nishantha Perera, T.K. Jayasundara, Nishantha Samaraweera, Hasara Liyanage, and Thilanka U. Gamage participated in this event. Additionally, President's Senior Additional Secretary Kapila Janaka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Engineer L.B. Kumudulal, Director General of the Ministry of Health H.M.N. Dinipriya, Additional Director General of the National Water Supply Department V. Vasudevan, Director of the National Planning Department S.A.R. Tharanga, and Director General of the National Budget Department Jude Nilukshan were also present. Furthermore, Director General of the Ministry of Justice and National Integration Engineer S.A.K. Subasinghe, Additional General Manager of the Water Supply Board Engineer N.R.S. Wickramasinghe, Chief Secretary of the Southern Province Chandima C. Muhandiramge, Secretary to the Southern Province Chief Ministry Krisantha W. Mahendra, Director of the Southern Province Urban Development Authority Thushani de Alwis, and Galle District Secretary K.U. Chandralal, along with a group of officials representing the Urban Development Authority and other institutions related to the Galle City Development Project, also joined the discussion.