Grace and beauty in the city
By Shirajiv Sirimane
For decades, one of the biggest attractions in the Rajagiriya,
Battaramulla, Nugegoda and neighbouring areas is the Diyawanna Oya Lake
which was only used to dump garbage. This natural asset was at one time
under threat to be filled and sold out to build houses.
It was fortunate that this historic lake came under the microscope of
the Colombo city beautification plan launched by the Urban Development
Authority and soon the lake was re developed. One segment of the lake
was developed from the Water's Edge area, another from Nugegoda area and
similarly from many other sides bringing out the true glory of the lake.
One of the first projects under the lake development program was at
Battaramulla and named as Diyatha Uyana. The beautification project also
brought out the architectural skills of local architects proving their
creations are of world's standard.
This project not only brought beauty and grace to the city of Colombo
but most importantly opened up a free market for self employed
entrenpreuenrs thus creating a market area similar to Pettah at Diyatha
Uyana, Battaramulla. The park had been constructed on a marshy land on
the banks of the Diyawanna Oya. It sits between the Parliamentary
complex and the Diyawanna Oya at the Polduwa junction. A reservoir had
been built near the Waters Edge hotel under the program of constructing
a network of reservoirs to control floods in Colombo.
An entertainment park was created simultaneously with the sales zone.
Children who accompany their parents to the park will have a wonderful
time while their parents shop for their gardening needs.
A spectacular musical water fountain, the first of its kind in Sri
Lanka, is also installed at the park. The fountain complete with light
settings comes alive in at night, adding a touch of brilliance to the
whole park. Visitors to the park will no doubt be spellbound by the
sheer sight of this wonderful creation. "Diyatha Uyana", is now a
central point of the local horticultural sales industry and already it
has become quite a popular place.
The area was also added with 12 shops for catering and 750 parking
lots too were created on a land virtually that was written off and used
as a garbage dump. Three solar powered cars are also at the venue to
provide internal transport for senior citizens as well as for shoppers.
The development of the project was carried out under the close
guidance and supervision of Secretary Defence and Urban Development
Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The combined efforts and expertise of the Sri Lanka
Land Reclamation and Development Corporation, Sri Lanka Army, Navy and
Civil Security Department personnel utilised in the construction of the
project.
Currently the Diyatha Uyana is opened to the public on Fridays,
Saturdays and Sundays and due the popularity of the venue, plans are
underway to open this on Wednesday as well. This would mainly cater to
apparel, handloom and cosmetic sector entrepreneurs. |
