Commander as Chief Guest Vests New Army-Laid Landscaped Park in Matale in the Public

The inauguration of the newly-landscaped Matale town-based 'V. T Nanayakkara Park' with new walkways, erected and developed jointly by Army troops, Urban Development Authority and Matale Urban Council was vested in the public this morning (13) during a brief ceremony, graced by General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest for the occasion.

Troops of 17 Corps of Engineer Services (CES) with resources, made available by the Urban Development Authority laid this 865m meter-long walk path inside this popular park in close consultation with engineering experts after General Shavendra Silva in response to the UDA request made the Army technical resources and manpower available to the project.

As the auspicious minute, 10.20 am struck this morning, the Chief Guest, flanked by Anura Dissanayake Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mayor of Matale, Sandanam Prakash, Major General (Retd) Udaya Nanayakkara, Chairman Urban Development Authority and Mr Sirinimal Perera, Secretary to State Ministry of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Community Cleanliness cut a ribbon and declared it opened for the public.

Distinguished guests soon after its formal opening inspected the entire project walking along the new pathways before a brief meeting got underway, in which the technical and manpower support, extended by Army troops for its successful completion within a short span of time came in for praise.

The project that goes hand in hand with the "Sawubhagye Dekma", the splendor of vistas and prosperity of HE, the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and on the instructions of Hon Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Policies & Plan Implementation, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious & Cultural Affairs and Minister of Urban Development & Housing was inaugurated in Matale at the request of the general public.

The V. T Nanayakkara Park, considered to be one of the most romantic places in Matale, is set in a scenic, relaxing location and offers the best opportunities to unwind in the vicinity of nature. Rustling trees, chirping birds and a pleasant breeze keep you constant company when you visit this garden.

Major General Kalpa Sanjeewa, General Officer Commanding 11 Division, Brigadier Rohitha Rathnayake,111 Brigade Commander and Commanding Officer 17 CES were associated with the day's event.