The Government is set to open the country’s first-ever, state-funded sandalwood garden in Battaramulla. Named “National Sandun Uyana”, the recreational park will be Sri Lanka’s national sandalwood garden.
Construction of the garden has already commenced under the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Minister of Urban Development and Housing Mahinda Rajapaksa, and will soon be open to the public. According to a media release from the Urban Development Authority (UDA), 1,000 sandalwood trees have already been planted in the garden.
The garden is being constructed near the Parliament Complex, adjacent to the “Ape Gama” premises. The UDA stated that while many gardens have been built under state sponsorship in the past, this is the first time a sandalwood garden is being built in that manner.
The National Sandun Uyana spans nine acres, and 98% of its development has already been completed. The media release further stated that the UDA expects to complete construction work of the garden by the end of this month.
The authority stated that along with the 1,000 sandalwood plants, the garden will also house mukunuwenna seedlings in order to support the primary plants. This is due to mukunuwenna’s ability to retain soil moisture, which will in turn aid in the growth of the sandalwood plants.
“The National Sandun Uyana is a different kind of eco-friendly project. In addition to the sandalwood trees, a number of ornamental flowering plants of various colours are also planted here. This will give the public an opportunity to relax and enjoy the coolness of the sandalwood garden,” said the UDA in their statement.
Moreover, the authority stated that the entrance to the park is through two iconic ponds containing around 200,000 litres of water. The entrance is set to be a high-platform access road between the two ponds, which will be decorated with eight elevated walls with a thin stream of water cascading down them.
The UDA went on to state that after the entrance, visitors will enter an area with colourful bouquets on either side, with lighting that will blend into the environment, after which they will enter an area with 12 smaller ponds. The park will also host an outdoor theatre, similar to those found in other parks like Viharamahadevi Park, which can be used freely by the general public.
The construction of this new park is set to take place in two phases, with the first phase costing Rs. 132 million and the second costing Rs. 162 million. These costs are to be borne by the UDA, with the construction being carried out by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC), under the supervision of the UDA.
“The garden will specialise in creating an environment for freedom, relaxation, solitude, fun, and diversity, as well as an environment ideal for exercising, conducting yoga exercises, and doing various meditation programmes. Visitors will also be able to enjoy natural food and drink,” the statement said.
The National Sandun Uyana garden will also house an open car park, big enough to park a total of 60 vehicles at a given time.
Construction of the garden has already commenced under the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Minister of Urban Development and Housing Mahinda Rajapaksa, and will soon be open to the public. According to a media release from the Urban Development Authority (UDA), 1,000 sandalwood trees have already been planted in the garden.
The garden is being constructed near the Parliament Complex, adjacent to the “Ape Gama” premises. The UDA stated that while many gardens have been built under state sponsorship in the past, this is the first time a sandalwood garden is being built in that manner.
The National Sandun Uyana spans nine acres, and 98% of its development has already been completed. The media release further stated that the UDA expects to complete construction work of the garden by the end of this month.
The authority stated that along with the 1,000 sandalwood plants, the garden will also house mukunuwenna seedlings in order to support the primary plants. This is due to mukunuwenna’s ability to retain soil moisture, which will in turn aid in the growth of the sandalwood plants.
“The National Sandun Uyana is a different kind of eco-friendly project. In addition to the sandalwood trees, a number of ornamental flowering plants of various colours are also planted here. This will give the public an opportunity to relax and enjoy the coolness of the sandalwood garden,” said the UDA in their statement.
Moreover, the authority stated that the entrance to the park is through two iconic ponds containing around 200,000 litres of water. The entrance is set to be a high-platform access road between the two ponds, which will be decorated with eight elevated walls with a thin stream of water cascading down them.
The UDA went on to state that after the entrance, visitors will enter an area with colourful bouquets on either side, with lighting that will blend into the environment, after which they will enter an area with 12 smaller ponds. The park will also host an outdoor theatre, similar to those found in other parks like Viharamahadevi Park, which can be used freely by the general public.
The construction of this new park is set to take place in two phases, with the first phase costing Rs. 132 million and the second costing Rs. 162 million. These costs are to be borne by the UDA, with the construction being carried out by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC), under the supervision of the UDA.
“The garden will specialise in creating an environment for freedom, relaxation, solitude, fun, and diversity, as well as an environment ideal for exercising, conducting yoga exercises, and doing various meditation programmes. Visitors will also be able to enjoy natural food and drink,” the statement said.
The National Sandun Uyana garden will also house an open car park, big enough to park a total of 60 vehicles at a given time.