Megapolis to go through legislature; New implementing agency to be set up

The proposed US$ 40 billion Western Region Megapolis project, together with an implementing agency will be institutionalized through an Act of Parliament to ensure a stable policy environment, a senior official of the project told the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce yesterday. “The plan will go through the Parliament and will be made law together with the establishment of a new institution for its implementation to ensure that a stable policy environment is established,” Megapolis Project Head of Investment Nayana Mawilmada said.

Strategic Investments and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama had earlier this week said that the Megapolis Project would be unveiled in the next few weeks. Mawilmada said that passing the project as legislation through Parliament would ensure stability, since any individual or entity wanting to change the plan or introduce periodic updates to the programme would also have to go through a parliamentary process.

He added that the project has broad-based support from political parties in Parliament.
Mawilmada did not specify what roles the new institution and the Megapolis and Western Province Development Ministry will play in the project.

The project had come under criticism for its plans to implement glamorous alternatives over cheap ones. However, an official this week dismissed such accusations, saying that cheaper alternatives will become costlier to upgrade in the long run.

Meanwhile, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Samantha Ranatunga asked Mawilmada what the government’s plans are for mobilizing land for the project

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“Some land acquisition will certainly be required, but where possible we will seek to partner with private sector landowners, so that the benefits of planned developments can be shared,” Mawilmada said.

He added that the government is looking to consolidate management of state land resources so that state assets can be utilized and committed for development projects more efficiently, while utilizing them in a systematic manner. 
CaptionNayana Mawilmada

He added that the project has broad-based support from political parties in Parliament.
Mawilmada did not specify what roles the new institution and the Megapolis and Western Province Development Ministry will play in the project. The project had come under criticism for its plans to implement glamorous alternatives over cheap ones. However, an official this week dismissed such accusations, saying that cheaper alternatives will become costlier to upgrade in the long run. Meanwhile, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Samantha Ranatunga asked Mawilmada what the government’s plans are for mobilizing land for the project.

“Some land acquisition will certainly be required, but where possible we will seek to partner with private sector landowners, so that the benefits of planned developments can be shared,” Mawilmada said.

He added that the government is looking to consolidate management of state land resources so that state assets can be utilized and committed for development projects more efficiently, while utilizing them in a systematic manner. (CW)