LBR LBO Infrastructure Summit 2016 to focus on transformative power of “Western Region Megapolis Project”

Sep 08, 2016 (LBO) - Leading local and foreign urban planners, legal experts, technology professionals, policy makers, academics, researchers and senior corporate thought leaders will take the stage at the 2016 edition of “LBR LBO Infrastructure Summit. With an objective of creating a multi-stakeholder conversation on the transformative opportunities of the Western Region Megapolis Project, Lanka Business Online (LBO) will host “LBR LBO Infrastructure Summit”on the 20th and 21st September. “The Western Region Megapolis Project will induce a transformative impact on the physical landscape and build environment, industry and economy, livability and the nation’s standing in the international arena,"said Lakshaman Bandaranayake, founder publisher, director of Lanka Business Online (LBO) and the summit curator. "As such no business - regardless of the scale, scope and nature- cannot ignore the potential opportunities the project will give rise to." The ambitious Megapolis project will convert the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara into an integrated urban agglomeration. This will be the largest, most complex, and most capital-intensive development project Sri Lanka has ever embarked upon. This project is unlikely to have peers in the region. It will create a lasting multigenerational and multidimensional effect. The transformative impact will also be felt across the region and the globe. The Summit will identify opportunities for businesses in technology, logistics, construction, environmental services, builders of transport systems, power & energy, public services, telecommunication, hospitality, facility management and construction, civil engineering and other related fields, LBR LBO said in a statement. "It will promote Western Region Development and Port City as high potential investment destinations, attract leading global and regional business to Sri Lanka and identify possible pitfalls and barriers that could compromise the quality of execution." "The Summit will be of significant relevance to those who keenly follow the infrastructure and economic development of the country; business community, policy makers, relevant government officials, academics and researchers, diplomatic community, multi-lateral agencies and NGOs," Ranjan Hulugalle, chairman of LBO, said. This years Summit will bring together over twenty-five local and foreign experts from variety of disciplines- urban development, property development and management, technology, infrastructure development, economics, housing development, financial services, public policy, regulatory agencies, logistics and transport, supply chain management and multilateral financial agencies. Speakers confirmed so far include Deputy Minister Harsha de Silva PhD (Foreign Ministry), Ajay Singh (New Jersey Transit), Nayana Mawilmada (Megapolis), Jagath Munasinghe PhD, Sumedha Rathnayake (RDA), Shankar Arumugam (JLL India), Professor Dorothy Chan (Hong Kong University), Jim McCabe (Standard Chartered), Kamal Dorabawila (IFC), Liang Throw Ming (Port City/Colombo International Financial City), Nihal Fernando (UDA/Port City), Anupam Yog (The Partners), Namalie Siyambalapitiya (RDA), Mangala Yapa (Agency for Development), Dinusha Panditaratne PhD (Kadiragamar Institute), Professor Amal Kumarage (University of Moratuwa), Dimantha de Silva PhD (Megapolis/University of Moratuwa), Thilan Wijesinghe (TWCorp), Nishan de Mel PhD (Verite), Damitha Kumarasinghe (PUCSL), Gayani de Alwis (Consultant), Helani Galpaya (LIRNEasia), Lalith Lankatilleke (UN-HABITAT), Kumudu Gunasekera PhD (STAX), Rohan Paulus (London Stock Exchange Group) and Susil Siriwardena (Ministry of Housing/NHDA). Patali Champika Ranawaka Minister of Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development will grace the opening ceremony as the Chief Guest. The Summit is endorsed by University of Moratuwa, JICA, Urban development Authority, Road Development Authority, The Institute of Town Planners, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and Ceylon Institute of Builders. Summit sponsors are CHEC Colombo Port City Limited, London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) and MillenniumIT, JAT Holdings, Allianz Insurance, Standard Chartered Bank, Cinnamon Life and eFutrures. "As a project we are indeed excited to be part of Sri Lanka's growth. We strongly believe that we can be the catalyst to development of the Western Megapolis and become an integral part of the Colombo skyline," said Liang Thow Ming, chief sales and marketing officer CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. The 1.4 billion US dollar Chinese Port City will be constructed between the Southern edge of the new Colombo South Port and the Fort Lighthouse.The total area of sea to be reclaimed is 252 hectares. Aelian Gunawardene, Managing Director of JAT holdings another sponsor of the event said that development of infrastructure is about transforming the lives of people, not just transforming economies. "We need to now capilalise on the strengths this country has and get serious about mobilizing the infrastructure necessary to distribute and dispense the attraction to foreign investment for business and tourism."