Galle Face Green in Colombo gets a face lift under the latest initiative of the government to develop the ocean-side urban park, which stretches for 500 m (1,600 ft) along the coast, in the heart of the City.
A sum of Rs. 300 million has been allocated for the development activities at the Galle Face green from Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) funds on a CSR initiative to upgrade the area, Ports Ministry official said.
This money will be disbursed from the Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) Budget for the year 2019/2021.
The development activities will be undertaken in stages within a period of nearly 18 months and is a continuation of the SLPA’s development work at Galle face Green with its CSR funds under the approval of the Cabinet of Minister in 2007.
The project will be carried out with SLPA’s s own funds and the funds of the National Budget.
The proposal was presented to Cabinet by Minister of Ports and Shipping and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayake and it was approved by the cabinet recently.
ATS Consultants headed by Murad Ismail, a well-known architect, had set off the project by providing architectural consultancy services in an unsolicited bid.
The project will consist of improving the pier hosting the national flag, and introducing soft landscaping with grass, trees and plants and hard landscaping including paving paths and outdoor furniture.
There will be seating facilities for the visitors to the Green, as well as development of the seafront, suitable lighting design and a modular kiosk for vendors.
The shops and food outlets are to be relocated giving due consideration to sanitation and garbage disposal. Extra parking too, is part of the plan.
The SLPA took over the management of Galle Face Green from UDA, in 2006 and in 2016, the Sri Lanka Port Management & Consultancy Services (Pvt) Ltd was formed as an associate company on profit-sharing basis to implement the project and manage the site.
(LI)