Under the auspicious of the Metro Colombo Urban Development Project led by the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, new dredging machines and modern equipments were handed over to the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation (SLLR&DC) at a function held at the Ministry premises last week. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa participated at the event as the Chief Guest.
Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Country Director of the World Bank were also present.
New machinery and equipment worth of (approx) Rs.500 million with a concessionary loan provided by the World Bank was ceremonially handed over during the session.
This is an initiative of the Metro Colombo Urban Development Project, one of the key urban regeneration projects driven by the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, aimed at the reducing of floods while improving necessary infrastructure and services in the Metro Colombo Region. Since its commencement in the mid last year, the result oriented project has flown at a rapid pace.
The recently opened seven public convenience complexes conforming to the international standards were one of the first outcomes of the Project.
Commencement of another fourteen sub-projects on infrastructure development and canal bank rehabilitation is also in the pipeline.
This is a vital move and a step forward for the Corporation, as most of the dredging machineries are being hired from costly outside sources.
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Press Release, August 26, 2013