MAPALANA ROAD RE-NAMED UPALI WIJEWARDENE MAWATHA

Simmensely benefitted the schoolchildren of the area and the residents. The present government has taken steps to continue the development programme introduced by him in the South. The Hambantota Port has turned out to be a white elephant. An economic zone would be established in Hamabantota to make the Hambantota Port an economically viable project. The proposed industrial zone to be set up on a 7,000-acre block of land will be among the other development projects to be implemented soon to generate employment opportunities to the youth,” the minister said.

State Minister of Finance, Lakshaman Yapa Abeywardene, district parliamentarian Buddhika Pathirana, relatives Shalitha Wijesundere, Dr. Rohan Wijesinge, Dhammika Artygala and several local politicians were present at the occasion.

Boraluketiya Buddhist Centre Chief Incumbent the Ven. Narandeniye Dhammawasa Thera delivered the anusasana. outhern Development and Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake said the internationally recognized entrepreneur Upali Wijewardene was a towering figure among the Sri Lankan business community and had contributed immensely to the country’s economic development.

At a public meeting after the Mapalana Road in Kamburupitiya was re-named Upali Wijewardene Road, the minister said his business enterprises in Malaysia and Singapore brought plaudits to Sri Lanka.

The renaming of the road and the public meeting was organized by the Upali Wijewardene foundation.

“He was largely instrumental in revolutionizing the country’s economy that had been subject to restrictions including heavy taxes on imports. Sri Lankan entrepreneurs were not prepared to manufacture goods for export. Our economy depended entirely on traditional cash crops including tea, rubber, coconut and cinnamon. However, after introducing the open economy by the 1977 government, vast new fields were opened for trade and commerce and employment. As Chairman of the Greater Colombo Economic Commission, he inaugurated the Biyagama, Katunayake and Koggala free trade zones which generated job opportunities for thousands of youth. He took a keen interest in developing Kamburupitiya and his “Ruhunu Udanaya” programme to uplift education in the area stands to his credit. He spent his personal wealth to develop schools and hospitals in Kamburupitiya and even donated his family lands. the Upali Wijewardene conference hall has