BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES for World market traders - WMTU

The business community at the World Market is looking for a better concessionary agreement with the Urban Development Authority (UDA) as the exisiting deal comes to an end next year.

The 15 year deal is to be renewed next year President of the World Market Traders Union (WMTU) K. H Ariyapala said. Speaking of the issues faced by traders at the site, he said the concept of the market was introduced by R. Premadasa in 1983 during his tenure as President.

Only the big stalls have electricity, we hope the smaller ones get the same facility. In addition to this, we also want to renovate and develop the lavatory facilities here. We don’t have enough labourers to clean them We have heard about a Foreign World Market before. But when in 1980’s there was a demand for the T-shirts, Shoes, Slippers, Leather Products and clothes

It was started for the purpose of giving an opportunity to purchase items at fair prices for the consumers in a competitive environment who were doing business in Bristol Street of Colombo Fort .

“We have heard about a Foreign World Market before. But when in 1980’s there was a demand for the T-shirts, Shoes, Slippers, Leather Products and clothes among the youths of the country and the world trade centre was established in Colombo Fort to cater their demands. There was an opportunity to sell local handicrafts, imported garments here,” he said.

Ariyapala explained that it was a popular trade fair when it was initially established and it was the practice of those who visited Colombo and those who came to work in the city to buy everything they needed at the place.

The 34 year old market has fulfilled the needs of its customers for almost 35 years and despite the establishment of numerous shopping complexes across the city, the world market was yet visited by thousands of consumers each day from all walks of life.

“We sign the agreement every 15 years with the UDA and the last agreement we signed will end next year. The business community expects a better deal to be signed with the Authority in 2018. It will be a considerable blessing,” he said.

Discussions have already been held with the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development about developing the site. The traders will request the government to construct a bus stop near the pedestrian crossing situated close to the market.

Secretary of the Traders Association Mohomaed Mujeeb said the traders hoped they had access to electricity under the new agreement. “Only the big stalls have electricity, we hope the smaller ones get the same facility. In addition to this, we also want to renovate and develop the lavatory facilities here. We don’t have enough labourers to clean them. These are some of the issues we hope to discuss when we renew our agreement,” he said.