Another landmark in the process of the planned beautification of the city of Colombo comes alive this evening when President Mahinda Rajapaksa ceremonially declares open the luxury shopping complex and other facilities in Colombo 7.

This modern shopping complex near Independence Square, established within the renovated colonial building which earlier housed the Auditor General’s Department and the Government Analyst’s Department is replete with a cinema, an urban garden and restaurants.

Anyone visiting this site would definitely witness the rejuvenation to this complex and its surroundings.

This complex is named Arcade Independence Square and has been renovated by the Sri Lanka Navy while retaining the original architectural designs of the buildings, Urban Development Authority (UDA) chairman Nimal Perera told AdaderanaBiz.lk.

There are 42 shops within this complex and every one of them have been offered to local businesses, added the UDA chairman.

This complex is 90,000 square feet in extent and when the UDA undertook the renovations the buildings were in a dilapidated condition.

The government has spent some Rs. 500 million on the renovations and this complex has been planned to attract foreigners as well.

Several outlets dedicated to Sri Lankan products too are to be established within this complex as planned.

This project came under the direct supervision of Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.