JICA to help plan Kandy development with UDA

Oct 10, 2016 (LBO) - The Urban Development Authority of Sri Lanka and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will enter into technical cooperation to formulate the urban development environment of Kandy. JICA will support with detailed urban plans, urban design guidelines, regulations to protect heritage city areas, sustainable systems and strategic investment proposals to implement the plans. “Kandy has a unique heritage and history which people from around the world gather to Sri Lanka to experience. Even more importantly, Kandy is a city very close to the heart of Sri Lankan people, for its significance to the Buddhists as well as other religions, and its importance in history as the last ancient kingdom," Kiyoshi Amada, Chief Representative of JICA Sri Lanka Office, said. "We look forward to sharing the Japanese experiences and lessons in developing such ancient cities in Japan, to help develop the true potential of Kandy. The key to successful development planning is mutual consultation and consensus-building with the many stakeholders, and we will make every effort to support UDA to do so in implementing the project.” The Record of Discussion for the project is to be signed on 10th of October in Kandy by Nihal Rupasinghe, secretary, Ministry of Megapolis & Western Development and Jagath Munasinghe, chairman UDA in the presence of Champika Ranawaka, minister of Megapolis & Western Development and Toru Kobayakawa, senior representative of JICA. JICA is also financing the on-going Kandy City Waste Water Management Project. JICA is the executing agency of Japan’s Bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA). It is the world's biggest bilateral aid agency, which works in over 150 countries and regions. In Sri Lanka, Japan has been providing financial and technical assistance since 1954 and is one of the largest donors to the country.