[By Janaka Alahapperuma]
The Veressa River walking tracks, an area for jogging and exercising was officially declared open for the use of the public by President Mahinda Rajapaksa last evening (09 August).
The area affiliated to the Veressa River in Bellanwila and Attidiya, located along the main road between the Bellanwila Raja Maha Vihara and the Pillewa Vihara.
While urban regeneration is the common theme of all development projects, the Government at the same time intends to further develop Colombo and beautifying the surroundings of the Colombo by creating new space. As such, efforts have been made to develop the Veressa River area and other such segments of the town as pedestrian friendly, picturesque localities with space for the people. This was also conducted under the intention of uplifting the character of the town as a green, clean and urban environment. The programme was initiated under the Colombo Development project with the support of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Authority.
In the past this area was a marshy and unclean site and with an unbearable unpleasant smell emanating from it. The entire area has been fully developed as an environment friendly location under the guidance and instructions of Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. The marshy land has been developed with the construction of a pleasant reservoir as a solution to the frequent flood situation experienced in the area. Jogging footpaths have been constructed in the area.
There are also lanes to ride bicycles and engage in physical exercises adding a novel experience to the people. Recent developments have made the area around this part of the river what it is now with the river’s perimeter cleared of brush and widened for quite a breathtaking view of the water. Along the length of the public walk, people are spoilt for choice when it comes time for a breather, with ample number of benches facing the rippling stream. And yet, some prefers to lie in the cool grass or laze on the large stone stairwell that leads down to the river.
The space, symbolically welcomes the discerning. One could call this the green zone, it is lush with greenery for one thing, and it is amidst a bustling town. People needed this as it is a prototypical setting, and folks will come here for refreshment, to simplify the challenges of the mundane. The nurturing combination of the water, the walkway, the trees, the grass and the pedestrian crossing take you from busy to benevolent.
Therefore the new development programme will lead to endowing to the future generation in the area which is also a paradise of many local and migrant birds.
Pix by: Sudath Silva
