The Plan for Colombo
Sagala Ratnayaka
The Plan for Colombo
Sagala Ratnayaka envisions Colombo as a hub of sustainable urban growth, job creation, and social inclusivity, aiming to transform the city into a smart, green, and globally competitive metropolis. His focus is on modernizing infrastructure, driving economic development, and prioritizing environmental sustainability to position Colombo as a benchmark for future urban projects in Sri Lanka. While the plan is ambitious, it is within reach through sound policies, robust governance, and collaboration with local and international partners. Together, let’s make Colombo District, the best city in South Asia!
01
Affordable Living - Economic Growth and Job Creation
Citizens should be able to afford basic needs without financial strain, ensuring that the cost of living aligns with average incomes. This can be achieved by creating well-paying job opportunities, supporting the growth of SMEs, and encouraging new startups to boost economic participation. Additionally, offering platforms for small businesses and artisans to showcase locally sourced goods helps strengthen local markets, promote entrepreneurship, and foster a diverse economy. Expanding such initiatives supports sustainable small businesses while building stronger community networks.
Macroeconomic Stability
Continue policies on fiscal stability and monetary policy consistency for a conducive environment for economic growth. These policies will also lower the cost of living by offering tax reductions on essential goods such as groceries, pharmaceuticals, and fuel, while creating stability to targeted subsidies for utilities in critical sectors.
Social Safety Nets for Vulnerable Population
For the most vulnerable families ensure food security through specialized programs and provide sufficient welfare support to guarantee a decent standard of living. Expand further, social safety nets in particular for the disabled, single mothers, elderly women, and women-headed households to uplift vulnerable communities.
Continue Legislative Reforms
Continue the reform process to build on last two years unprecedented record of completing 169 new laws and amendments in parliament. Further reforms will lay a solid foundation for economic, social and policy reforms to make Sri Lanka globally competitive.
Expedite Land Title Transfers
Continue the long overdue land rights program to provide free land rights to permit holders and grant full ownership of homes to low-income families living in flats in Colombo.
Inclusive Development
Ensure that economic growth benefits all segments of society through programs that promote equal access to education, healthcare, and employment. Expand vocational training centers across Colombo to support workforce up skilling.
The plan is to create 250,000 new jobs by 2030 in emerging sectors such as port services, logistics, tourism, retail, and high-tech manufacturing. While attracting both foreign and local investments for large-scale projects, it’s crucial to prioritize the expansion of opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By enabling SMEs to provide outsourced services and run small businesses, a broader economic base will be secured, ensuring inclusive growth. Key initiatives driving job creation will focus on supporting entrepreneurship, fostering innovation, and ensuring robust infrastructure development to accommodate these new opportunities that include:
High-Tech and Service Industries
Develop Colombo into a hub for high-value, industries such as information technology, biomedical sciences, and financial services. A dedicated Science and IT City will foster innovation and job creation.
Tourism Expansion
Promote eco-tourism and cultural tourism with projects like the Colombo Downtown Redevelopment, aimed at revitalizing the city into a global destination. Focus on the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions (MICE) tourism sector.
Horana Industrial City and Homagama Science Parks
Attract foreign investments in high-tech sectors by building dedicated Industrial and Science Cities in outlying areas that connects to Colombo through an efficient transportation network.
Port City Colombo
Develop the Port City as a global financial and business center with 24/7 activities, luxury living spaces, and cutting-edge infrastructure. This will position Colombo as a gateway to South Asia.
Colombo Downtown Redevelopment
Transform Colombo’s downtown into a pedestrian-friendly, shopping and entertainment hub. Develop iconic projects around Beira Lake, including a Cruise Center and vibrant public spaces.
02
Housing and Urban development
Decent housing must meet basic standards of safety, sanitation, comfort, and security to ensure the well-being and dignity of individuals and communities. Mixed-income housing schemes provide an effective solution to address housing inequality by fostering inclusive communities. These schemes balance affordability with quality and promote social integration. Additionally, sustainable urban development should prioritize the integration of green zones, public parks, and green corridors to encourage a healthy lifestyle and enhance community spaces. This approach not only promotes environmental sustainability but also improves overall quality of life for residents.
Affordable Housing
Introduce an affordable housing initiative in Colombo city and its suburbs, focusing on mixed-income developments. This strategy balances affordability with high-quality housing, fostering inclusive communities. By integrating mixed-income housing, lower-income residents can transition from slum areas into modern, sustainable housing solutions. Additionally, this approach connects them to broader social networks and creates greater opportunities for upward social mobility, helping to reduce housing inequality while promoting urban regeneration and community integration.
Incentives for Home Ownership
Work towards policies for low-interest home loans, grants for first-time homebuyers, and offer tax deductions on mortgage payments. Additionally, promote the development of new townships in both suburban and urban areas to align with expanding job markets. This strategy ensures affordable, accessible housing options while supporting economic growth and increasing housing availability for a broader section of the population. By fostering residential expansion in areas with emerging job opportunities, it creates balanced development that enhances both living standards and economic participation.
Urban Planning and Development
Update urban planning zones to create well-organized townships that integrate residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, ensuring efficient land use that accommodate population growth. Focus on housing projects that revitalize underutilized areas, while enhancing infrastructure such as schools, transportation, and healthcare access. Additionally, prioritize the development of green spaces like parks and playgrounds to foster community well-being and support holistic development, including spiritual upliftment. This approach will lead to sustainable urban growth and an improved quality of life for residents.
Flood Control and Water Management
Implement an integrated stormwater drainage system to mitigate flash floods and protect low-lying areas. Projects like the rehabilitation of the Mutwal Tunnel will enhance Colombo's resilience against climate change.
Waste and Energy Management
Promote waste-to-energy projects in collaboration with international partners. Develop new solar farms and waste recycling plants, aiming to generate 30% of Colombo’s energy through renewable sources by 2030.
Green Colombo Vision
Integrate wetlands and agricultural zones within city limits to enhance biodiversity, improve air quality, and create urban green belts. Strict enforcement of environmentally sensitive area protection laws will ensure sustainable urban growth.
Animal Welfare
Further expand the law on animal welfare. Given there are so many apartments in the city, advocate for new laws to enforce to allow pets in high-rise buildings.
Cultural and Social Integration
Promote social harmony and cultural diversity in Colombo’s development plans. Support cultural preservation projects while integrating global best practices in urban design to celebrate the city's rich heritage.
03
Security, Law, and Order
These are essential pillars for maintaining peace, promoting development, and protecting public welfare, while upholding democratic values and ensuring the well-being of all citizens. Strengthening public trust in the police, combating corruption, and enhancing accountability are key steps toward a more transparent and effective law enforcement system.
Community Policing Initiatives
Strengthen local law enforcement through community policing programs, increasing the presence and trust of police in neighborhoods. Encourage the police to work with local leaders to understand specific community safety issues. Focus on prevention of drug abuse and peddlers is identified areas. Provide support for rehabilitation of youth to be integrated into mainstream.
Modernization of Law Enforcement
Strengthen law enforcement agencies by equipping them with advanced technology, improved training, and enhanced resources to effectively tackle modern challenges such as cybercrimes and organized crime. This includes upgrading digital infrastructure, improving investigative capabilities, and fostering collaboration with international agencies to address cross-border threats.
Crime Prevention Programs
Focus on youth by investing in crime-prevention strategies that provide access to vocational training, internships, and on-the-job learning opportunities. Build partnerships with educational institutions, the private sector, and religious organizations to strengthen communities. Developing mentorship programs that pair children with positive role models, including professionals and community leaders. Additionally, promote youth clubs that engage in activities such as spiritual development, sports, culture, and recreation, fostering positive environments for youth while reducing the risk of involvement in crime and drugs.
Address Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
Push for stronger enforcement of the new laws related to domestic violence, harassment, and sexual abuse. Support with counselling, legal aid, and establish safe houses and mental health support systems for survivors of domestic abuse and violence.
04
Transport Modernization
The inefficiencies of the current transport system pose numerous challenges, leading to productivity losses and escalating transport costs for the movement of people and goods. If these issues are not addressed now, they will continue to worsen over time. It is vital to prioritize the modernization of transportation, emphasizing smart city initiatives, improving road networks, and developing modern public spaces to enhance overall efficiency and accessibility.
Modernize Public Transport Systems
Upgrade the public transport infrastructure by enhancing buses and trains to encourage greater usage. Introduce alternative modes of transport, such as Light Rail Transit (LRT) and boat services, to ease urban sprawl from densely populated suburbs into urban centers. This strategy will offer faster and more efficient transit options to significantly reducing traffic congestion.
Upgrade Transport Infrastructure
Implement an advanced traffic management system (ATMS) across eight of the busiest corridors connecting Colombo to its suburbs. This system will synchronize traffic signals to enhance traffic flow and alleviate peak-hour congestion. Additionally, optimize road networks, improve junction efficiency, increase dedicated bus lanes, and expand parking facilities in key urban areas to reduce vehicle density.
Improve Accessibility and sustainability
Improve accessibility for the elderly and disabled by introducing low-floor buses. Promote cleaner transportation options by transitioning to eco-friendly vehicles and charging stations while creating more pedestrian-friendly zones.
Safety and Dignity for Women
Enhance the dignity and security of women and girls using public transport by expanding the use of GPS tracking, installing cameras and adequate lights in public transport and waiting areas. This will ensure women have access to safe and accessible daily commutes to participate more in economic activity.
05
Enhancing Healthcare for a Healthier Society
The delivery of health services that are effective, safe, and patient-centered, ensuring timely and equitable care that leads to the best possible health outcomes. Ensuring quality healthcare requires robust health systems, well-trained professionals, modern medical technologies, and strong regulatory frameworks.
Improve Universal Healthcare Accessibility
Enhance access to free or subsidized healthcare services for everyone, with a particular focus on low-income families. By prioritizing preventive healthcare, such as routine screenings and vaccinations, the aim is to reduce the incidence of serious health issues and decrease long-term healthcare costs. Expanding health insurance coverage can facilitate access to necessary private medical services, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for communities.
Upgrade Health Facilities
Invest in enhancing and expanding hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities in Colombo to ensure they are equipped with modern medical technologies and staffed by adequately trained professionals. This initiative is crucial for improving the overall quality of healthcare services available to the population.
Public Health Campaigns
Launch preventive healthcare initiatives that focus on educating the public about healthy lifestyles, early disease detection, and effective management of illnesses. These campaigns should encompass a variety of topics, such as vaccinations, maternal health, and the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases.
Youth Mental Health
Given the recent incidences it is essential to address the growing concerns surrounding youth mental health issues. Ensuring that schools, community centers and youth clubs are equipped to provide support to children at risk, including access to counseling and mental health services. Collaborative awareness efforts, supportive policies, and the establishment of comprehensive support systems to foster resilience among youth, families, and communities. Support arts and culture initiatives, including music, dance, drama, and visual arts, to help children explore their creative potential.
Support child protection and safety
The focus should be to improve child safety both in physical and digital realms. Strengthened the implementation of child protection laws in particular laws related to child labor, sexual exploitation, and abuse. Measures to combat child poverty and promote well-being, such as nutrition programs and healthcare services. Child-friendly urban development, with an emphasis on safe, engaging spaces for children to play and learn.
Dengue eradication
This is a major public health priority, where the disease has become endemic. A comprehensive approach to dengue control is needed in the Colombo District that has one of the highest dengue prevalence rates in Sri Lanka. Public health campaigns educating communities about dengue prevention are essential. These campaigns focus on eliminating mosquito breeding sites, using mosquito nets, and applying repellents, especially during peak mosquito activities.
Healthcare and Education for Women
Continue to support initiatives aimed at improving healthcare services for women, especially in the areas of maternal health, reproductive health, and access to family planning services. Access to education and skill development for young women would also be a key priority.
06
Corruption-Free Governance
Corruption-free governance is essential for ensuring transparency, accountability, and the effective functioning of public institutions.
Transparency Initiatives
Implementing e-governance tools can significantly enhance government transparency and accessibility. Leveraging technology, governments can not only improve service delivery but also enhance public trust and reduce the incidence of corruption. Countries that have successfully integrated e-governance initiatives report improved citizen engagement and increased government accountability.
Whistleblower Protection Laws
Establishing robust whistleblower protection laws is essential for fostering a culture of transparency and accountability. These laws should aim to protect individuals who report corruption or misconduct within public institutions from retaliation.
Regular Audits and Accountability
Implementing independent audits of government spending and projects is crucial for enhancing transparency and accountability in public finance. These audits should be mandated regularly and made accessible to the public, allowing citizens to review how taxpayer money is being utilized.
Digital Colombo Initiative
Modernize Colombo District’s governance systems by integrating e-governance platforms, improving citizen access to services, and enhancing transparency. Position Colombo as a digital government leader in South Asia.
Advocate for Gender Equality
Work towards reforming the governance structures and institutions to be more inclusive. Push for stronger legal protections and policy interventions to improve gender equality in areas like employment, healthcare, and education.
Promote Women and Youth in Leadership
Support young, progressive leaders and promoting inclusive governance by youth, including women, in decision-making processes. Advocate for quotas and policies that encourage greater female and youth participation in political and public leadership roles. Ensure women have more representation in local government and on boards of state enterprises would align with his broader political vision for a more inclusive society. Launch initiatives to provide training, mentorship, and financial support to women and youth interested in politics and public service.
