A new phase of the government’s Metro Uplift programme, aimed at improving living conditions in low-income housing complexes in the Colombo urban area, began on Saturday, the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development said.
The initiative is being implemented through the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and focuses on upgrading older state-built housing schemes to modern urban living standards. Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake conducted a field inspection on June 20 at housing complexes in Colombo 09 and Dematagoda — including the Mihidusenpura and Siyapath Sewana schemes — to review ongoing work and assess current conditions.
During the visit, attention was drawn to infrastructure requiring renovation, including fire safety systems, sunken pavements, manholes, drainage systems, lighting in common areas, waste disposal facilities, boundary walls, security camera systems and police posts. Officials also discussed upgrading essential public amenities at the complexes.
The Mihidusenpura housing complex in Dematagoda, launched in 2013, comprises six blocks and 820 housing units. Renovation work under Metro Uplift is currently under way at a cost of Rs. 24.9 million. The Siyapath Sewana complex, also in Dematagoda and handed over in 2018, has three blocks and 702 units, and is being upgraded at a cost of Rs. 6.68 million. A further Rs. 20.3 million has been allocated for sewage system repairs across both complexes.
The Ministry described the works as part of broader efforts to modernise urban housing infrastructure and improve standards in densely populated areas, alongside parallel UDA initiatives such as the Rs. 1.4 billion plan to develop 10 cities announced earlier this month.
