Life Cities programme launched to drive data-based urban development

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has stressed that urban development should focus on creating safe and inclusive cities for people and animals, rather than being limited to the construction of concrete buildings.

Addressing the official launch of the “Life Cities” development programme in Colombo on Friday (11), Amarasuriya said cities should be places where everyone living in them has a right to safety, security and a sense of belonging.

The programme plan was presented to the Prime Minister by Minister Bimal Rathnayake and Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara at the launch.

The programme is being implemented alongside the 2026 Budget proposal titled “A New Approach to Urban Development”, under the government’s “A Rich Country – A Beautiful Life” policy framework.

The Life Cities programme aims to introduce a structured, prioritised and data-driven approach to urban development, while addressing issues arising from urban projects implemented in the past without adequate planning, feasibility assessments and coordination between institutions.

Under the first phase, 10 cities; Jaffna, Matara, Batticaloa, Badulla, Matale, Vavuniya, Hatton, Chilaw, Thalawa and Eheliyagoda, have been selected for development in 2026.

A further 16 cities have been selected for development in 2027. They are Dehiwala, Kalutara, Panadura, Matugama, Galle, Kegalle, Bandarawela, Kalmunai, Akuressa, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Naththandiya, Ratnapura, Trincomalee, Kantale and Ella.

The programme is aimed at linking urban development initiatives with national policies, improving infrastructure and services, expanding economic opportunities and strengthening tourism appeal. (Newswire)

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