The French government has agreed to provide a soft loan facility package for upgrading the infrastructural facilities of the Anuradhapura city and the sacred city zones. A high powered french government delegation held initial talks with the CM (NCP) Peshala Jayaratne Bandara and the relevant officials recently at the Anuradhapura Chief Ministry auditorium regarding the proposed town planning programme.
Referring to the project the CM (NCP) told Daily News that the french government would extend a soft loan facility worth US Dollars 60 million for developing city transport services, sewerage and garbage disposal and for implementation of a flood prevention programme involving the Malwathuoya river.
The city beautification programme is being planned under which recreation facilities would be provided to the public.
The two main bus terminals and the railway stations in the zone will be modernized. For controlling the annual floods caused by the Malwathu oya a Rs. 3,500 million flood prevention programme is under consideration. Also the historic monuments in the sacred city will be preserved and approach road facilities will be provided in addition to arranging vehicle parks, toilets and washroom facilities, road side restaurants and tourist resting rooms, the Chief Minister said. According to Jayaratne, the particular five year city development project would commence once the planning stage has been completed within 3 months.
The project implementation will be executed by the Central government in collaboration with the North Central Provincial Council and the Anuradhapura Municipal Council. It was decided at the discussion to hold progress review meetings monthly for accelerating the venture.