19 December 2019 10:18 pm
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to expedite renovation work of the floating market in Fort with immediate effect so that people could spend their leisure without any hassle.
He also instructed the officials to carry out renovations in all other places designed to beautify the city and ensure a relaxing atmosphere for the people.
The floating market shopping complex was not maintained properly during the past four and a half years and therefore, eighty per cent of the shops had to be closed.
Several environmental issues had cropped up in the area due to contamination of water in the floating market.
Accordingly, renovation of the floating market is underway under the instructions of UDA chairman Harshana de Silva and Director General Prasad Ranaweera.
The floating market opened on August 2014 as a concept initiated by the then Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Local products, organic food and souvenirs for tourists were sold at the floating market premises. It comprises 103 stalls and the total cost for the construction was Rs.312 million. The Army and the Navy carried out the construction work. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)