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KANDY: Kandy and the suburban areas will be developed in the near future with the implementation of a number of water supply, electricity schemes and waste-water disposal units, Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama assured at the inauguration of the conservation project of the Kandy Lake, on Saturday 30.

Addressing a meeting to mark the occasion Minister Dr. Amunugama denied any rift between Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in the United People’s Alliance (UPFA).

There are at times exchange of opinion on issues, but that does not mean there is a rift. There is absolutely no division in the government, Dr. Amunugama stressed.

Exchange of opinion or any debate on issues are for the benefit of the country. There is no reason to panic or fear about a disaster, Dr. Amunugama noted.

As regards the conservation of the Kandy Lake, Dr. Amunugama said the lake adds to the natural beauty of the hill capital.

Sri Dalada Maligawa and the lake are two major important attractions for the visitors to Kandy. Foreign visitors are fascinated by them Dr. Amunugama noted.

It is everybody’s responsibility and duty to ensure the protection and the beauty of the Kandy Lake, he said.

The UPFA government is going ahead with a number of development projects for Kandy and its environs, he said.

The water-supply scheme underway with Japanese aid with a cost of over Rs. 5000 million and the Kandy waste-water disposal unit and several electricity extension schemes will be completed in the near future for the benefit of the people of Kandy and the suburban areas.

These developments are implemented with the blessings of President Chandrika Kumaratunga, he added.

Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake told the meeting that Kandy Lake was part and parcel of the cultural heritage of the people of Sri Lanka.

It was built by king Sri Wickremarajasinghe to add beauty to the Kingdom. It is now the responsibility of the present generation inclusive of the Mahanayake Theras, Diyawadana Nilame and the people at large to protect the Kandy Lake.

The UPFA government has allocated a sum of Rs. 650 million to bring it back to its pristine glory, he added.

Maha Sangha, Diyawadana Nilame Neranjan Wijeyeratne, Deputy Minister Bimal Ratnayake, Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, MPs Dimuthu Bandara Abeykoon and Nawaratne Bandara, Kandy Mayor Kesara D. Senanayake, Kandy District Secretary (GA) A. M. L. B. Polgolla, Divisional Secretary Gamini Seneviratne, officials of the Irrigation Department were present on the occasion.