Matara Pradeshiya Sabha office complex opened

Text and pictures by PRIYAN DE SILVA

The new office complex housing the Matara Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) constructed at a cost of Rs. 115 million was opened the Governor of the Southern Province Dr. Willie Gamage on Tuesday morning.

Of the total cost, Rs.95 million was from the government’s ‘Pura Neguma’ development programme funded by the Asian Development Bank, while the remaining Rs. 20 million was from the PS.

The new complex is centrally located at the rapidly developing Kekanadura township and will serve the 68,692 constituents resident in the PS area.

The 1037 sq m complex is centrally air conditioned and houses the offices, the chambers and the auditorium with seating for over 200 on the first floor while the public library and communication area are housed on the ground floor.

Southern Province Governor Dr Willie Gamage unveils the ceremonial plaque.

Chief Guest Southern Province Governor Dr. Willie Gamage said that as the Provincial Councils were defunct the duties of the Provincial Ministry of Local Government as well as four other PC ministries had fallen upon the Governor. He said that he had received many complaints about instances of harassment of the public and called upon the councillors to serve all their constituents alike.

Chairman of the Matara Pradeshiya Sabha Wimal Priya Janaka, Southern Province Local Government Commissioner Senaka Palliyaguruge, Divisional Secretary Matara Kaushalya Kumari, and SLPP District Coordinator Aruna Gunarathne addressed those present.

Co-Chairman of the Matara District Development Council and Member of Parliament Nipuna Ranawaka, Chairmen of LG bodies in the Matara district, past and present, councillors of the Matara PS and government officials were among the distinguished gathering present at the ceremony.