Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has stressed that people’s lives cannot be improved merely by constructing concrete buildings, emphasizing that cities should be safe and inclusive spaces for everyone, including animals.
The Prime Minister made these remarks today (11) in Colombo while addressing the official launch of the “Life Cities” urban development programme, implemented alongside the Budget proposal titled “A New Approach to Urban Development” under the government’s “A Rich Country – A Beautiful Life” policy.
The project plan for the Life Cities programme was presented to Prime Minister Amarasuriya by Minister Bimal Rathnayake and Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara.
Under the first phase, the programme will focus on the cities of Matara, Batticaloa, Matale, Vavuniya, Badulla, Jaffna, Chilaw, Hatton, Thalawa and Eheliyagoda. The project plans were subsequently handed over to local government representatives of these cities.
The Prime Minister said Sri Lanka’s cities have expanded in a highly unplanned manner, noting that 44.5% of the country’s population lives in such informal areas.
She stressed that urban development should not be based on the idea that cities belong to only one segment of society, adding that cities belong to everyone.
Dr. Amarasuriya also emphasized the importance of a transparent scoring system when selecting cities for the Life Cities programme and said each city’s unique identity should be understood and reflected in its development.
She further noted that cities should not be treated as “concrete jungles” and that animals, as well as people, are part of urban communities.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the Life Cities programme would address these issues while focusing on the needs, safety and quality of life of the people.
