Sri Lankan President opens park built under Weras Ganga storm water management project
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, September 11, 2014 | 0 comments
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa Tuesday opened a recreation park built under the Weras Ganga storm water management project in Bellanwila, a suburb of capital Colombo.
The recreation park with a breathtaking scenery, built on a marshy land on the banks of the Weras Ganga and close to the historic Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya, is similar to Diyatha Uyana located near the Sri Lankan Parliament in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte.
The park consists of well-lit walking paths, food outlets and recreation areas.
Ministry of Defense and Urban Development, initiated the 'Weras Ganga Development Project's Bellanwila-Boralesgamuwa section. Navy and Army troops completed the project in less than seven months.
The Weras Ganga Basin next to the Bolgoda Basin is adjacent to the Greater Colombo area and characterized as one of the fast growing areas in the Colombo Metropolitan Region. The area surrounding Weras Ganga provides a waterfront environment and is a popular area for recreational activities as well as residential development.
Due to the urbanization and lack of a proper drainage system, the basin has been subjected to heavy flooding during most of the time of the year.
The Weras Ganga Storm Water Drainage and Environmental Improvement Project is aimed to mitigate the frequent flooding in Weras Ganga Basin and also to promote sustainable development activities and improve environment which will promote tourism industry in the relevant areas.
The Project is being implemented in two phases.
Under the Phase I of the project development of Nugegoda Rattanapitiya Ela, Boralesgamuwa North and South Canals, Maha Ela, Dredging of Weras Ganga and improvement of drainage system of Bolgoda marsh will take place at an estimated cost of Rs. 8 billion. Phase I is expected to be completed in three years.
Dredging of the Weras Ganga, improvement of the canals, Improvement of drainage system of Bolgoda marsh will take plce under Phase 1.
The protection of Attidiya Bird Sanctuary and Bolgoda Canal is also assured under the project.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs.14.227 billion and is scheduled to be completed within 4 years.
(Photos by Sudath Silva)
