President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized that Sri Lanka can emerge as a premier tourist destination through strategically planned urban development that moves beyond conventional construction practices.
During a high-level meeting with the National Physical Planning Department at the Presidential Secretariat, the President highlighted the importance of incorporating Sri Lanka’s cultural identity into city planning. He urged officials to design urban development projects that reflect the nation’s heritage while promoting modern infrastructure.
The discussion also focused on the government’s commitment to balanced development, ensuring that both urban and rural areas benefit from economic growth. President Dissanayake stressed the need to protect rural traditions and livelihoods while implementing development initiatives.
Key government officials, including Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Ranjith Ariyaratne, along with Director General of the National Physical Planning Department W.R. Ruchira Vithana, participated in the discussion.