Ranil trades Dalada procession for election
Pradeep Nilanga Dela, the Diyawadana Nilame at the Kandy Presidential Palace yesterday (20) performed the ritualistic practice of informing the state leader of the successful completion of this year’s chapter of Kandy Dalada Perahera. However, interim president Ranil Wickremesinghe, who handed over the nomination for the forthcoming presidential election as an independent candidate, transformed the occasion into an opportunity to make election campaign promises.
Yesterday, an announcement by the President’s Media Unit confirmed how the occasion was used to make election promises. The part mentioned in the press release about those promises is quoted below.
“Additionally, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs is dedicated to supporting cultural centres that train artists. The Bellwood Institute, established four decades ago, should be developed into an art institute under the National Youth Services Council, providing valuable training and opportunities for local youth. With the ongoing Perahara festival, Kandy is emerging as a hub for art and culture, and we are also implementing other initiatives to further enhance the city’s development.
We are currently in negotiations with Hilton to develop a new hotel while preserving the historical significance of the Bogambara Prison. We are also exploring the possibility of connecting the old post office with the Taj Hotel to create another new hotel. Furthermore, we plan to utilize other lands in the Bogambara area for tourism-related hotels and repurpose the Kandy South Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) for similar use.
There are also plans to modernize the existing Kandy market. Additionally, we aim to develop the Digana and Kundasale areas with a focus on tourism. To support these developments, I have requested the Japanese government to construct the Central Expressway from Galagedara to Katugastota without interruptions, which will contribute to the expansion of the area into a major urban area.
While we are discussing enhancements to Peradeniya Park (Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya), we are not addressing Udawatta Kele Sanctuary at this time. Our plans include attracting tourists to the Dalada Maligawa and Sathara Maha Dewala, and integrating these attractions with religious activities.
We aim to establish Colombo, Galle, Kandy, and Trincomalee as the main hubs of Sri Lanka. Our vision for Kandy is to develop it not only as a hub for culture and the arts but also as a prominent educational hub.”
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