Night fiesta to enliven city life

By Ranil WIJAYAPALA

The usually calm and quiet stretch of road from the Public Library roundabout to St. Bridget's convent roundabout on the Green Path was a hive of activity with people thronging the place which wafted with the smell of different kinds of food.

One stretch of the road had already been closed for traffic and the area adjacent the Viharamaha Devi Park was full of food outlets, textile shops and some outlets providing entertainment.

Many people along with their family members were going from one stall to another for the best food. They could select their menu from star class hotels down to ordinary restaurants providing the best of everything.

The kids had the chance of playing under lights whilst being watched by their parents.

Many youths and teenagers were seen dancing to the tune of the music, in front of a stall run by a renowned media organisation whilst some were enjoying beer with a relaxed mind.

It was the launch of the 'Green Path Night Fiesta' a project organised by the Colombo Municipal Council to give the cityfolk the opportunity to enjoy the night life in the city.

Omar Kamil, the Special Commissioner of the Colombo Municipal Council, who is the prime mover of the "Green Path Night Fiesta" after its official launch on Friday told the Sunday Observer that it was on a concept of President Mahinda Rajapaksa that the CMC initiated the project to promote the night life in the city.

"We want to provide opportunities to the public to enjoy themselves taking the full advantage of the peaceful environment created in the country after the defeat of LTTE terrorism", he said.

"People can have their food, enjoy music and entertainment and night shopping in the area, he added.

Foreigners working in the nearby sites and those in search of entertainment were thronging the place.

"We are expecting more people and stalls here in the coming weeks, as evinced by the public response, Kamil said.

Gamage who arrived there with his two kids and wife said they were glad to visit a place like that which is full of entertainment and food varieties.

We can enter the Night Fiesta free and enjoy ourselves the varieties of facilities, he said while tasting food at a fast food outlet.

All Departments of the Municipal Council worked tirelessly to make the project a success.

The CMC expects to have the Night Fiesta, on all Fridays and Saturdays. As a public institution there are many restrictions on the CMC in giving publicity and expending adequately due to financial constraints.

Therefore, many CMC officials were of the opinion that they should get partner organisation to work with them to make this novel project a success.