US pledges local entrepreneurs with technical assistance

US Ambassador Julie Chung visited the Pettah Floating Market on March 10. She had a cordial discussion with officials of the Colombo Business Association and stated that in the future the US Embassy hoped to cooperate with the Colombo Chamber of Commerce to promote local entrepreneurship and provide them with the necessary technical assistance.

The Colombo Business Association thanked the ambassador for her visit and appreciated the fruitful conversation they had concerning the Pettah Floating Market.

Colombo Business Association (CBA) Secretary-General, Chaminda Vidanagamage said that though the Pettah Floating Market is a valuable asset to the nations its true potential is not utilized. “Hence we have now taken an initiative along with the Urban Development Authority to turn this venue to a mega entertainment hub mainly attracting tourists.”

“One of the biggest issues concerning the venue is the lack of security and to overcome this a police post would be set up and CCTV surveillance cameras monitored 24 hours by police would be installed.”

Measures are also in place to market this venue through five-star hotels and travel agents and this would be done with the assistance of the Ministry of Tourism.