New Approach in National Spatial System (Part 1)

The C shaped Economic corridor is undoubtedly a vital link in our economic planning process, as it entails creating essential market access points for our local and foreign investors.

 These commercial corridors will develop integrating Colombo port and Katunayake Airport, Hambantota port, and Mattala airport, Kankasanthurai port, as these are fundamental and core to making the “agro industrialization” growth strategy a reality as envisioned by the newly elected government. Foreign investors could explore opportunities in:

• Four Multidimensional Commercial Cities – The newly elected government will develop the leading commercial cities of Colombo, Hambantota, Jaffna, and Trincomalee and link them with the airports and ports as an economic corridor that will establish an internal and international network. 
• New Colombo  Commercial and Financial Hub - The new landmass added by the Port City Project has given new hope and is now the “New Colombo” of the 21st century. It is now a center for global commerce, trade finance, and banking. We will expedite the stalled development of this new city and fast track the introduction of legal and financial provisions to make it a commercial and business center.
• Renewable Energy - Renewable energy has now become a widely discussed subject. It is needed as part of the overall energy mix of a country, which consists of Hydro, Thermal, Coal, and alternative renewable energies. It will ensure that the country has access to low-cost energy needed for rapid economic acceleration.
• Water-Water resource management has become an important discussion point and is vital for economic development. Only 45% of the population has access to the water supply. Waterways have also been polluted, thereby compounding the problem of providing safe drinking water to all. The newly elected government intends to meet this challenge and thus ensure the supply of clean, safe pipe-borne water to 100% of the population.
• Train Transport Services - The newly elected government will repair existing rail tracks in line with the program of adding value to train services; the Sri Lanka Railway Authority will be given adequate powers to ensure that they provide an efficient, clean, and reliable train service to the general public and tourists. 
• Integrated Road Network - The newly elected government will continue to build on their development plans to ensure that all road networks that remain unfinished are completed and connected to the respective economic corridors.
• Hambantota Port - The newly elected government will develop the port, making it an international Industrial and Services Port port for technical services, ship maintenance, and repair, ship handling, etc., thereby catering to all vessels. 
• Developing Airports - Mattala airport facilities will be upgraded further, including adding a new taxiway; we will also discuss with international airlines and commence commercial operations. 
• Disaster Management - Privative measures and early warning systems must be in place to minimize the loss of lives to property and economic damage. The internal system must function in a synchronized manner in such times of disaster to ease the distress of the people affected by such events.

VBS/AT/17122019/Z_TB2