Siemens to transform Sri Lanka's Western Province into megapolis

Siemens Ltd. India on Monday said it has signed an MoU with the Sri Lankan government to construct smart cities in the island nation's Western Province and transform it into a megapolis within five years.

The MoU, signed with the ministry of megapolis and western development, is to bring about systematic changes and development processes into the Sri Lankan urban community and would ensure its inhabitants become a part of the socio-economic development while maintaining high levels in quality of life and paving the way for Sri Lanka to emerge as a commercial, naval and aviation hub of Asia, a company statement said.

The ministry envisages transforming the entire Western Province into a megapolis to usher in comprehensive development within five years, and the work would include macro-level planning of the region based on bio-geo-physical and socio-economic aspects.

The Western Region Megapolis Development would be the epicenter towards a long-standing, firmly-estalished and sustainable future urban process of Sri Lanka, it said.

Besides designing smart urban settlements in strategic locations of the country, Siemens India would provide solutions to resolving related issues like garbage, slums, energy, traffic, environment and livelihood.

The Western Province, which includes regions of Bandaragama, Kadawatha, Kottawa and Kerawalapitiya, wit plans to develop new cities in the outer circular as part of the Megapolis development.

Siemens India MD and CEO Sunil Mathur said that the with company's global expertise and knowhow on how to help cities become more livable, competitive and sustainable, the upcoming Smart Cities project will enable the Sri Lankan national economy to leverage befits of economies of agglomeration brought about by urbanisation.

The MoU was signed by Lakshman Jayasekara, project director/team leader, Western Region Megapolis Planning Project and Anirudh Tandon, country manager, Siemens Limited Sri Lanka, in the presence of Nayana Mawilmada, head of Investments, Western Region Megapolis Planning Project, M.M. Anura Prasanna, deputy director of Sri Lanka's Urban Development Authority, Ranjith Pandithage, CMD, Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC, and Mathur.

Siemens India Ltd, with expertise in Smart Cities solutions in Vienna and New York, is engaged in similar ventures in India under the ongoing Smart Cities project here.

--IANS

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