Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, Patali Champika Ranawaka while handing over the plan to President Maithripala Sirisena said that Sri Lanka will be able to raise US$ 40 billion worth investment within the next decade through this ambitious project that seeks to convert the island's Western Province into a cluster of infrastructurally- developed and livable cities. Under this plan 160 projects will be implemented under 10 main themes. "This development will be made under four pillars of Economic Development, Social Justice, Environment Conservation and Culture," he said.

Minister Champika Ranawaka, recently disclosed that the first phase of the plan would span from 2016 to 2020, while the second and third phases of the project will span from 2020 to 2030.

"The proposed Megapolis will be built with public and private investment as well as public and private partnerships and foreign direct investment," Minister Ranawaka said.

The Cabinet gave its nod for the preparation of the large-scale plan in April 2015 and the preparation of the master plan was done after setting up task forces to look into each vital component, including waste disposal, land use, housing, transport and others.

Many issues to be addressed under this plan are traffic congestion, garbage disposal and housing facilities for slum dwellers, drinking water and sanitary facilities, among others.

It envisages the development of demarcated regions in the Western Province under a zoning system, creating different cities in different regions within the highly-populated Western Province.