Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said yesterday that their effort is to bring forward an educated person from the ordinary masses, not someone from a ‘regal’ background.
“An educated person should head the country in order to take it out of this rut,” Minister Ranawaka said, addressing a press conference at Suhurupaya, Battaramulla.
He said all development activities will be continued according to the National Physical Plan (NPP), denying rumours that the NPP is a ploy of foreign governments. The children of those who spread the rumour that the NPP is an American plan are settled in America, the Minister said.
The Minister went on to say that Finance Ministry and World Bank funds are used for development activities according to the NPP. “For the Western Province, the Western National Physical Plan has already been completed. We already have plans for Trincomalee and plans for Hambantota and Tissamaharama will be formulated. In the near future, plans for Jaffna, Matara, Ratnapura and Kurunegala will be implemented. We know the importance of Trincomalee, though some make pseudo-patriotic claims to gain political mileage. The Belt and Road concept of China will be carried out soon in Sri Lanka,” he added.
Minister Ranawaka also clarified that the NPP has no connection with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement. “France had provided financial assistance to develop the Jaffna, Galle, Kandy, Kurunegala and Dambulla districts, but our key aim is to develop Embilipitiya and Wellawaya too,” he said.
Moreover, the NPP is formulated only with Sri Lankan expertise. During the last Presidential Election, roads were carpeted rapidly yet the sewerage systems that were more than 20 years old lay beneath, he said.
“Unlike in other countries, we do not have extra service lines. On our expressways, there is still space to construct service lines. Now we have started to renovate these sewerage systems. Later on we can develop the Colombo roads,” he said. National Physical Planning Department Director General Dr. Jagath Munasinghe explained the importance of the NPP. “We look forward to more employment opportunities, a better quality of life for all citizens, sustainable use of available resources, and conservation of our cultural heritage. The National Physical Plan will be continued in the future,” the Minister said.
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