News
Project to develop 152 acres around Beira Lake to begin next month
Initial preparations for the development of 152 acres around the Beira Lake with mixed development projects and hotels, will get off the ground next month, Megapolis and Western Development Ministry Secretary Nihal Rupasinghe said.
Mr. Rupasinghe said the project will begin by clearing the waterways by blocking illegal water outlets and sewerage lines into the lake. In addition, around 800 families, including those living on unauthorised lands will be relocated.
The families will be provided housing in high-rise flats to come up close to the location.
Mr. Rupasinghe said the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has been directed to stop the disposal of waste material and seal the unauthorised sewerage lines, including all outlets from the National Hospital, within two-years, by setting up treatment plants.
Of the 152 acres to be developed, 95 acres belong to state institutions such as the Ports Authority, Urban Development Authority and the Railways, while the rest belongs to private institutions. The private companies will be offered the opportunity of selecting a project in accordance with the concept to develop the area.
Lands will be offered to investors on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) or on lease for 99 years, 50 years or 33 years.
The project is an initiative of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who studied similar projects in Singapore and sought the assistance of Singaporean experts to design the project.
One of the highlights of the project will be a ‘Sri Lankan Eye’ in the Beira lake, constructed on similar lines of the ‘London Eye’– a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London.