President Mahinda Rajapaksa emphasized that one of the prime goals of developing Colombo was to offer better living standards for city dwellers. The President said that over 70,000 shanty dwellers in Colombo would be provided with proper housing facilities and improved living conditions in the near future.
"A better lifestyle for the people is what matters most," President Rajapaksa said addressing over 2,000 workers, who contribute daily to create a people-friendly environment within the Colombo city at a function held at Temple Trees on Sunday.
Read moreThe ceremony held at Temple Trees was to appreciate the work done by all categories of workers who contribute to keep Colombo - clean, green, healthy and attractive.
President Rajapaksa observed that certain elements had always played politics with shanty dwellers and low income earners in the city. He added that the present government always, gave precedence to the wellbeing of the masses and had never worked merely to secure votes.
"Some want shanties to be remain so to gain petty political mileage.
We don’t work with elections in mind. We always work for the benefit of the masses. It is immaterial who these people vote for, what we want is to provide them with is clean and healthy living conditions, a good education and a secure future for their children", he added.
Appreciating their work, the President said the workers could be proud of their achievement in the recent past in making Colombo a clean and attractive city.
"Today visiting dignitaries, politicians and investors are speaking in glowing terms about the changes that have taken place," President Rajapaksa added.
The President also told the gathering that the Sri Lankan map would soon undergo changes as the Government plans to add another 500 acres to Colombo city limits by acquiring land from the sea adjoining Galle Face green and the harbour.
The programme slated to be initiated in November would be completed within two years, he added. The President while underscoring the importance of developing Colombo pointed out that the capital city always stood as a hallmark of the nation’s development. He also spoke in Tamil and said that developing the capital city was one of the initial steps towards the goal of becoming the Wonder of Asia.
The Island
