Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka says that most people have misunderstood the Western Province Megapolis project while pointing out that it will be an eco-friendly development process one with nature and not lead to the creation of a “concrete jungle”.

Addressing an event held in Kotte today (15), he said that around 17 per cent of the Western Province is comprised of are wetlands and lowlands close to river and lake banks and that the conservation of these areas are paramount. 

The Minister of Megapolis and Western Development stated that today flood control has proven difficult due to the legal involvement of a large number of institutions in the matter such as the Irrigation Department, Land Reclamation and Development Corporation and municipal councils. 

“We have identified the need of coordinating all these institutions, cooperation and a strong process for wetlands conservation and flood control in the future,” he said.

Ranawaka said that within the next 3 years a suitable process will be launched for flood control in and around Colombo city.  

He stressed that unauthorised constructions have become one of the major obstacles for flood control in Kotte, Colombo municipal council area and Kolonnawa.

“We have identified over 2,500 unauthorised constructions while over 5,000 unauthorised constructions have been identified in the Kelani River banks which are obstructing water flow.”