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President reviews Kalani river flood control, housing and water ...
Attention has been drawn to the Kelani River flood control project, water management initiatives in Colombo city, the restoration of Beira Lake, and the need for a special housing program for low‑income families in Ratmalana and Moratuwa. These priorities were emphasized during a meeting held on Monday (18) between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and senior officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) at the Presidential Secretariat. Minister of Urban Development Bimal Ratnayake underscored the necessity of adopting a special model for the proper management of certain projects to ensure effective implementation and sustainability. President Dissanayake stressed that allocations made for new UDA projects must be fully utilized within the current financial year. He also highlighted the importance of finalizing projects in consultation with relevant institutions, assigning clear responsibilities for both implementation and long‑term maintenance. The meeting reviewed several major initiatives, including flood mitigation along the Kelani River, urban water management schemes, and housing programs aimed at improving living conditions for low‑income communities in Colombo’s suburbs. Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, Ministry Secretary Senior Prof. Kapila Perera, UDA Chairman M.G. Hemachandra, and heads of the Urban Settlement Development Authority (USDA), Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC), National Physical Planning Department (NPPD), and the Co‑Management Authority (CMA) joined the discussions alongside senior state officials. (Newswire) 2026-05-19
Colombo North Port project awaits Kelani River flood study
Port to be located close to Kelani River outflowFurther studies conducted with ADB assistanceBreakwater construction to commence only after WCT breakwater, terminal completed The Colombo North Port project is awaiting a study on potential flooding along the Kelani River, which is expected to take another year, according to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). Project commencement is likely to occur only after 2027, once the West Container Terminal 2 (WCT) project is completed.Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, SLPA Chairman Admiral (Retd) Sirimevan Ranasinghe stated that considering the sheer size of the Colombo North Port project, it could not be completed overnight. He said that it must be executed methodically, with thorough studies conducted to ensure there would be no negative consequences.Ranasinghe further noted that studies were still underway to assess potential flooding along the Kelani River that could result from the project.“The Colombo North Port will come up close to the Kelani River outflow. This requires studies. Therefore, the Irrigation Department, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, and SLPA are conducting further studies with Asian Development Bank (ADB) assistance,” he stated. He revealed that the study was expected to take approximately another year. Accordingly, only after its completion can work begin on the engineering designs.Commenting on a possible timeline for the Colombo North Port, the SLPA Chairman stated that construction of the breakwater for the proposed port would commence only after the breakwater and terminal under the WCT 2 project were completed; the latter are scheduled to be completed by end-2027.The Sunday Morning Business had previously uncovered that the SLPA had appointed AECOM Infrastructure & Environment UK Ltd. to undertake a feasibility study for the Colombo North Port.AECOM’s services had been provided under the ADB-funded loan 3425-SRI: Transport Project Preparatory Facility – ‘Consultancy Service for Feasibility Study for Colombo North Port Development Project.’The feasibility report had examined various development possibilities and a selection of five options had undergone a thorough assessment using a multi-criteria analysis. Ultimately, the favoured choice entails the establishment of three container terminals, featuring a combined quay length of 4,600 m, along with a multi-purpose terminal encompassing a 700 m quay. Additionally, two oil berths and space for logistics/warehousing are i...
President meets senior officials of the Urban Development Authority
2 hours ago ... ... projects. Attention was drawn to key initiatives such as the Kelani River flood control project, water management projects in Colombo city and the Beira ...
House probe sought on Laguna de Bay's flood control projects
A LAWMAKER has filed a resolution urging Congress to summon key government agencies to reevaluate the effectiveness of ongoing flood control projects around Laguna de Bay, warning that worsening ...
