Renovation of floating market commences

By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon

The Urban Development Authority (UDA) yesterday commenced the renovation of the Colombo Fort Floating Market.

The renovation work commenced at 8.30 am under the patronage of Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development Sirinimal Perera.

Eighty percent of the shops in the market had remained closed for the past four and a half years due to lack of maintenance, UDA sources said.

An official of the Urban Development Authority told The Island that many environmental problems had risen as the water in the canal where the floating stalls are located had become polluted.

He said that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is also the Minister of Urban Development had instructed the relevant officials to start the renovation work immediately.

Built on a concept of President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa when he was the Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, this floating shopping complex was inaugurated on August 25, 2014.