10 October 2016 12:00 am
The Urban Development Authority (UDA) of Sri Lanka and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will commence a technical cooperation project to formulate the urban development vision and detailed urban plans towards the objective of enhancing the value and attractiveness of Kandy as a historic and touristic city and realizing its unique socioeconomic potential while preserving its ancient heritage sacred to Buddhists around the world.
Through the project, the JICA will support the UDA to prepare the urban development vision for the Kandy metropolitan area, detailed urban plans including urban design guidelines and regulations to protect and sustain the heritage city area and recommend sustainable systems and strategic investment proposals to implement the development plans.
“Kandy has a unique heritage and history which people from around the world gather to Sri Lanka to experience. Even more importantly, Kandy is a city very close to the heart of the Sri Lankan people for its significance to the Buddhists as well as other religions and its importance in history as the last ancient kingdom. We look forward to sharing the Japanese experiences and lessons in developing such ancient cities in Japan, to help develop the true potential of Kandy. The key to successful development planning is mutual consultation and consensus building with the many stakeholders and we will make every effort to support the UDA to do so in implementing the project,” commented JICA Sri Lanka Office Chief Representative Kiyoshi Amada.
The record of discussion for the project is to be signed on October 10, 2016 in Kandy by Megapolis and Western Development Ministry Secretary Nihal Rupasinghe and UDA Chairman Dr. Jagath Munasinghe in the presence of Megapolis and Western Development Minister Champika Ranawaka for the Sri Lankan side and JICA Sri Lanka Office Senior Representative Toru Kobayakawa for the Japanese side.
The JICA is also financing the ongoing Kandy City Waste Water Management Project.