MANIFESTO

A Smartand EfficientColombo

Rosy SenanayakeColombo’s First Female Mayor

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Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe

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Leveraging on Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean, the United National Party has developed a ten year plan that would place Colombo on the world map as a vibrant

commercial capital.

The United National Party Manifesto for the Colombo Municipal Council Election 2018

Colombo – A Smart, Empowered and Green City

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Since 1994, there has been no effort to improve the economy of Colombo, even though the country’s prosperity depends on the city’s financial well-being. This was due to the narrow-minded policies of the previous government. When we came into power in 2015, the economy of Colombo had collapsed. The government has introduced a series of programs to improve Colombo’s economy and thereby bring about prosperity to the country.

We moved to:Restore economic growth by reviving the economy of Colombo.Eradicate fear and restore religious and ethnic harmony.Establish the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development in September 2015 to plan and enhance the physical development of Colombo.Develop theKandy-Colombo-Hambantota Economic Growth Corridor.

These programs must be implemented at grassroots level. Therefore, to successfully complete the above listed programs, it is essential that the UNP retains control of the CMC.

The Colombo Municipal Council, under its new team of UNP Councillors, will be working closely with the government to implement its economic policies and make the city prosperous once more. Colombo will also play a central role in the fast developing economic belt that runs from Kandy to Hambantota.

Transforming Colombo into a smart, safe, empowered and green city through environmentally friendly, sustainable development projects, focusing on enhanced community services, cleanliness and the well-being of its residents, will be the goal of the new team of United National Party members of the Colombo Municipal Council.

Delivering satisfactory services to a city that is home to a diverse population is a challenge. Not only is Colombo a highly sought after residential area where the richest and the poorest live, it is also the commercial hub of Sri Lanka. Colombo also hosts a huge migrant population that comes into the city daily. The new team of Councillors will take on the challenge of delivering services to the public in an efficient and effective manner.

The United National Party has invited a woman, well-known both locally and internationally, to lead the team of Councillors. This is in recognition of the contribution women make, both formally and informally, to the economy. Under her leadership, Colombo will, by 2020, be the capital city of your dreams.

Ours is a diverse constituency; we are a multi-faith community of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers, Malays, and more. Such diversity gives strength to a UNP-led CMC which recognises that everyone – the wealthy, the middle class, the working class and minorities have equal rights. Therefore, our message to every one of you is the same.

zz If the UNP wants to see Colombo rise from its ashes likes the Phoenix, it needs the cooperation of all. This, then, is an invitation to every one of you, to join us in this tenyear journey of transforming Colombo.

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On being elected, the Mayor and her team will appoint a steering committee comprising CMC staff, Councillors, residents, stakeholders, and subject experts to guide, implement, monitor and evaluate the progress of projects identified throughout the ten year period. The committee will explore local and international best practices that make cities great and apply similar concepts in Colombo. As a resident of Colombo, your input and participation in transforming Colombo to be the finest in Asia will be invaluable.

1. A clean, green and sustainable city with the well-being of residents in mind

We are all aware that mounds of garbage, such as in Meetotamulla are health hazards, and are committed to finding a lasting solution to this issue. We pledge that an efficient and effective plan for garbage collection will be introduced. We have already identified a new dumping site in Puttalam District, which will become operational in the very near future.

The illegal drug trade is spreading fast, destroying young lives and posing a threat to the safety and security of the country. Many a family in Colombo North, Colombo Central and Borella are battling the effects of this menace. The new Mayor will be treating this issue as one of utmost importance and will be working closely with the Sri Lanka Police Department, the Dangerous Drugs Control Board and other relevant government departments to introduce a program to rid the city of this problem.

The CMC will invite youth associations in the city to play an active role in the program and will also link up with schools and places of religious worship.

Our goal is for an empowered Colombo by 2020, and to be the model city in the Asian region. It will be a safe city where commercial, cultural and financial activity will take precedence. As a first step towards beautifying the city, a commercial plan will be implemented for the Beira Lake vicinity, featuring attractive recreational facilities for tourists and local citizens alike.

Our Ten Year Plan to build an empowered Colombo

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We will implement the following activities to transform the city:

Find permanent solutions to prevent flooding.Work with the Ministry of Law and Order to maintain a drug-free city.Set-up Rehabilitation Centres encompassing international practices to help drug addicts. A campaign and task force to eradicate dengue in the city, together with the Health Ministry, Provincial Council, and voluntary associations.

- Reduce dengue deaths by 50% in 2018, and aim for zero deaths by 2020.

Ensure a garbage-free city through educational programs on the sorting of garbage, and the finding of permanent dumping sites.Provide clean drinking water, sanitation and fully functional toilet facilities for all residents.Instal more public toilets. Apply existing by-laws to curb noise and vehicular pollution and ensure an aesthetically attractive city.Ensure that the Food Control Unit of the CMC is run more efficiently and effectively.Introduce home composting and urban agriculture which will ensure a green city, clean air, and provide organic food for city dwellers.Upgrade existing playgrounds and children’s parks.

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A Long-Term (10 years) Physical Development Plan (LTPDP) for Colombo to be done together with the Central Government.

The LTPDP will be the master plan to fulfill Colombo’s increasing requirements regarding water, sewerage and drainage, given the rising population.

Where necessary, schools will be upgraded within the CMC to ensure equal opportunity for all children.

All of the above will be achieved through the following:Flyovers to ease traffic congestion.Upgrade of Al-Hussain Maha Vidyalaya and Kotahena Maha Vidyalaya. Land will be allocated for two new national schools in North and Central Colombo.A construction policy that will meet the needs of the city. Improved and safer infrastructure.Solutions to traffic congestion.Separate areas for three-wheeler parking and concessionary loans to purchase meters.Facilitating the use of canals for transportation.Regular maintenance of main and by-roads.More underground crossings.

2. Better planning around infrastructure development

Haphazardly built structures and inadequate housing facilities have resulted in unsatisfactory service delivery to residents. As well, there are unresolved issues around home ownership. While these cannot be solved overnight, the UNP will introduce a National Housing Policy, through which the CMC will be able to resolve existing issues satisfactorily. Fifty thousand lower income constituents whose homes need improvement will become owners of storied houses through the assistance of Line Ministries. The middle class will be able to obtain low interest rate loans from state banks. The government has allocated Rs. 75 million for this project.

Traffic congestion is affecting our daily lives. Having the least amount of traffic issues is the hallmark of a successful and well-run city. While we will be seeking lasting solutions to this problem, a new flyover which would run from the Kelani Bridge, through Fort, to the Colombo Port will be constructed.

The many canals in the city will also be utilized to ease traffic congestion.

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3. A digitalized Municipal Council for efficient and effective service delivery

While the CMC currently has provision for e-bill payment etc., it does not seem to be fully utilized.

As the country moves towards becoming a wealthy nation by 2020, Digital services will be enhanced to make them more user-friendly for our busy residents, for whom every minute counts. The Mayor’s vision is to provide an efficient and quick service for residents, and partner the city with the rest of the country to achieve a blue-green economy. Under our administration, constituents will be able to use the internet and mobile phone to:

Obtain applications and licences.Pay bills.Access reports, budgets etc.Make complaints and suggestions.Other relevant services.

We will also strengthen and computerise the system for the issue of land certificates to be accepted by all government agencies.

Moreover, to ensure transparency and efficiency, the Mayor, Councillors and staff will be available via App and chat rooms for interactive communication with the public.

A website will be set-up for each Councillor, so that he or she will be directly accessible to constituents. A committee of subject experts with international experience will oversee the digitalization project, and will report directly to the Mayor. The project will be reviewed every six months.

Regular training in communication skills and best practices adopted in Municipalities worldwide will be provided to staff to ensure that they discharge their duties to the best of their abilities.

The Colombo Municipality will be the first to implement the Government’s three language policy when interacting with the public.

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4. Multi-faceted, one-stop service centres for community development

At least 25 ‘Sanwardhana’ centres will be set-up in each ward or electorate. The Centre will bridge the gap between the community and the CMC and will host a variety of programs to meet the needs identified by area residents.

Funded by the CMC, each Centre will have a Committee made up of area residents to ensure the successful implementation of activities. A designate will be appointed with direct access to the Mayor, Councillors and staff to ensure speedy delivery of services, and also to advise the community.

The Mayor will personally coordinate a project to connect constituents to suitable employment opportunities in the private and state sectors.

In consultation with Council staff, residents will have the opportunity to design programs and activities to meet their specific needs. Activities will be based around the following:

Child-care, pre-school, early childhood and crèche facilities.Three main NYSCO Centres for vocational training within the City.A unit to work with street kids.A library showcasing modern systems.Career guidance unit.A dedicated unit will be set-up to identify available job opportunities in the private and public sectors, and to groom applicants to be job-ready. Self-employment assistance program, designed especially with women in mind. We will work with banks and chambers of commerce to facilitate loans and other forms of assistance.Initiatives will be introduced to irradicate sexual harrasment with the aid of Female Police Officers and Emergency Hotlines. Internet Cafes.Counselling Services.Activities and services for the disabled.Activities for the elders in the community to assist them in obtaining their basic needs.Recreational facilities.A section of the Centre will be set aside for weddings, funerals and other events. This will be available free of charge.

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5. Participatory Citizenship

Participatory citizenship will provide residents and stakeholders with the opportunity to take ownership of CMC programs, and to actively engage with CMC staff and Councillors. It will ensure and uphold good governance and accountability, and effectively root out corruption and inefficiency.

Participatory citizenship will include ‘Town Hall’ meetings attended by the Mayor, Councillors and CMC staff, held every three months in different locations. This will provide residents with the opportunity to review and evaluate the progress of projects and suggest new activities. Where possible, the meetings will be telecast live via social media.

Under a UNP-led Municipal Council:

The Citizens Charter identified in the Local Government Act will be introduced.Constituents will be directly involved in reviewing budgets and making suggestions for budgetary allocations.The knowledge and expertise of volunteers will be harnessed to form an oversight committee.

Use your vote for the development of your area without wasting it. For a strong and prosperous Colombo, cast your vote for the UNP.

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