“Though the Colombo has been built as a beautiful city, solutions haven’t been provided to the problems of the poor people who are living in the slums. Hence, it’s the government’s objective to boost all people economically, by minimizing the gap between the people living luxurious lives in the palaces in Colombo and those who are sighing, living in the slums adjacent to those palaces”, he said.

The President was speaking at the ceremony to felicitate the workers of the Colombo Municipal Council, organized to mark its 150th anniversary Monday (Dec. 21).

“We should make an end to the gap between the haves and have nots”, the President emphasized.

“The new government has established a separate Ministry to megapolis development. The plan for megapolis development, which is aimed at beautifying of not only the city, but also the lives of its people, will be implemented from next January 08”, the President stated.

The souvenir book ‘Journey of the Colombo Municipal Council’ was presented to President Sirisena at this occasion. The President also launched the modernized website of the Colombo Municipal Council.

President Sirisena symbolically handed over the presents to 100 workers of the Colombo Municipal Council, who have completed over 25 years of service there.

Colombo Mayor A. J. M. Muzammil presented a special souvenir to the President at this occasion.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya unveiled a portrait of President Sirisena created in the premises of the Municipal Council.

Souvenirs were presented to 53 Urban Councilors at this ceremony.

Ministers Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, A. H. M. Fowzie, Chief Minister of Western Province Isura Dewapriya and MP Hirunika Premachandra also participated in this ceremony.