Ragama town to be developed as health, education, and transport hub – Minister

Bimal Rathnayake, the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development, told Parliament today (23) that there are plans to build a Multimodal Transport Hub in Ragama town. He shared this information while discussing illegal constructions in the Ragama area, which he noted are a significant barrier to development efforts. The Minister explained that Ragama is recognized in the Ja-Ela Urban Development Plan as a Health City, and there are also plans to turn it into an Education City. However, he pointed out that illegal constructions have slowed down this progress. Currently, around six people are living in these unauthorized buildings. “When officials visited, they found that they were not allowed to carry out inspections. It seems these individuals are using old political connections. This is a hindrance to Ragama's development. Therefore, we will proceed with their removal,” he stated. The Minister also mentioned that Ragama has great potential as a Health City because of its major healthcare facilities and many students studying medicine. “Moreover, a nursing school in the Kandana area adds to Ragama’s growth as an education center,” he added. Highlighting Ragama’s key role in transportation, he pointed out that the town already provides various transport options, such as trains, buses, and taxis. With this in mind, plans are underway to create a Multimodal Transport Hub to improve connectivity and support the town’s overall urban development goals.