Cabinet approves Ports Ministry's Rs 300m request for Galle Face upgrade

Just days after the Lanka Electricity Co. (Pvt) Ltd rejected a Power & Energy Ministry attempt to suck out Rs 375 million of its funds, for a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project, to develop Mihintale, Cabinet has passed a Ports Ministry request to draw Rs 300 million from Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) on a CSR initiative to upgrade Galle Face Green.

The relevant Cabinet paper maintains that Murad Ismail, a renowned architect, had initiated the project by offering architectural consultancy services through his firm, ATS Consultants—in effect, an unsolicited proposal. But Mr Ismail categorically told the Sunday Times that the initiative did not spring from him but that he was approached by the Ports Ministry.

The Ports Ministry envisages finishing the development in 18 months. As Galle Face Green is not a property of the SLPA, but of the Urban Development Authority (UDA), “any costs incurring on such development would have to be carried out on CSR budget, as also implemented previously,” the Cabinet paper, obtained under the Right to Information Act, states.

The project will include improving the pier, which hosts the national flag, and introducing soft landscaping elements—such as grass, trees and plants—as well as hard landscaping elements such as paving paths and outdoor furniture. Trees of an “appropriate type and scale” are also to be planted along the roadside to provide cover and to reduce concentration of pollutants.

There will be seating options for the public, as well as development of the seafront, suitable lighting design and a modular kiosk for vendors. The shops and food outlets are to be relocated giving due consideration to sanitation and garbage disposal. Extra parking too, is part of the plan.

The proposal was given the nod by the Ministry of Finance, subject to the condition that the upgrading of Galle Face Green should be aligned with the master plan to develop Colombo under the Ministry of Megapolis & Western Development. Secondly, a consultant should be selected in accordance with National Procurement Guidelines.

The UDA, in 2006, handed over the management of Galle Face Green to the SLPA. Ten years later, in 2016, the Sri Lanka Port Management & Consultancy Services (Pvt) Ltd was set up as an associate company on profit- sharing basis.

"There was no procurement process for the selection of consultant, because it was an unsolicited proposal," said Ports Ministry Secretary Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe, despite Mr Ismail insisting that the idea did not emanate from him. The Secretary said it was a good project and it had his support.

Cabinet approval was also subject to conditions. The Ports Ministry was instructed to obtain a report from a team of experts, including the Head of Department of Architecture of the University of Moratuwa, before agreeing on designs and detailed plans. There must be consultation with the UDA and authorities of the Colombo Port City development project. And the initiative must be aligned with other plans for Colombo, stewarded by the Ministry of Megapolis & Western Development.

“Discussions with these groups are continuing,” Admiral Ranasinghe said. The cost of the project is estimated at Rs 300 million. Two percent of this, or Rs 6 million, is being charged as a consultancy fee—a significantly lower fee than is usually charged by Mr Ismail.