• Platform enables public access to plans, regulations, projects with real-time feedback
• Officials expect measurable impact within months as feedback integration begins
• Future upgrades to include image uploads and GPS-based reporting features

The Urban Development Authority (UDA) recently launched the Mother Lanka digital platform, designed to allow users to access development projects, plans, regulations, and related information openly, while contributing views, suggestions, and feedback on urban issues.

As the initiative enters its third week, questions on the impact of the interactive website and its contribution to the country’s development are beginning to surface.

What is Mother Lanka?

As per provisions set out in Section 8D of the UDA Amendment Act No.4 of 1982, the launch of this platform allows local authorities and the public to provide comments and observations or submit proposals for draft development plans prepared by the authority.

When contacted by The Sunday Morning, UDA Director of Information and Communication Technology L.C. Manoj Perera stated that the platform was based on three pillars at present: development plans, regulations, and projects.

The UDA is the primary authority responsible for urban development in Sri Lanka and the preparation of development plans. According to Perera, all UDA-prepared development plans are uploaded to the system for public review, including town plans involving various stakeholders. Previously, reviews were typically sought only after a development plan was finalised.

“Users can select a plan and comment on it in a way similar to social media platforms like Facebook. We collect these inputs, review them, and, if necessary, incorporate this feedback to revise our plans,” he said. Most importantly, the platform is open to the general public, in addition to professionals, experts, and relevant stakeholders, he added.

Apart from development plans, the platform also hosts urban development regulations, as the UDA is both the regulator and the body that formulates these regulations. Whether it involves purchasing land, constructing a house, or developing a building or apartment anywhere in Sri Lanka, the UDA’s approval is required as it monitors and enforces these regulations. As such, urban development regulations have been included on the platform, where users can identify errors or suggest revisions.

Perera continued: “Through this, we expect to receive input even from overseas experts, professors, engineers, architects, Government officials, and the general public on our plans, regulations, and projects.”

The platform also welcomes a wide range of inputs, from complaints to ideas, plans, and proposals. “For instance, residents affected by land acquisition for infrastructure projects or those facing issues in housing schemes can report their concerns directly through the platform,” he elaborated. “We have always collected public feedback, but we lacked an interactive review tool for the general public.”

According to Perera, each input is categorised under a specific area and directed to the relevant administrative team. Separate teams handle development plans, regulations, and projects, ensuring that feedback is reviewed and responded to.

Users can browse information easily, although creating an account is required in order to submit feedback, after which they receive automatic acknowledgement.

“Additionally, the platform allows follow-up communication via phone or email, especially if a user’s suggestions result in important improvements. Users may also receive notifications indicating how their contributions were incorporated, encouraging continued participation,” he noted.

The platform also emphasises accessibility, as it is mobile-friendly, device-compatible, and available in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, making it accessible to communities with varying levels of digital literacy.

Further development of the platform

Although the current version supports only text-based inputs, Perera clarified that features allowing image uploads had already been added but had been temporarily disabled, as the platform was still in its initial stages.

“In the future, perhaps within a week or a month, we will enable users to take pictures from their location and upload them with GPS coordinates,” he added.

As the platform continues to evolve, Perera explained that the current version focused on basic, fundamental features, with continuous improvements underway. The long-term goal is to expand the platform to host a broader range of UDA activities, ultimately enhancing public participation in urban development.

“We do not display every public comment to all users. Instead, the system shows the overall number of comments received for a specific section. Relevant divisions selectively display comments,” Perera explained, adding that full public visibility may be considered in future updates.

Priority system

With the introduction of such a platform, questions arise regarding how suggestions are prioritised. Addressing this, Perera stated that while there was no fixed schedule for discussions (weekly or monthly), active participation from individuals, professionals, and Government organisations was reviewed, with their consent and support incorporated into achieving national objectives.

“We receive input from various stakeholders and individuals, prioritise their concerns, and respond in the order they are submitted. Once reviewed, these inputs may be incorporated into development plans, projects, or regulations,” he explained.

It was emphasised that any citizen could contribute, regardless of designation, highlighting the role of public participation in national development.

Impact on development projects

As the platform remains in its early stages, its full impact has yet to be assessed. Perera noted that only a few weeks had passed since its launch, with teams reviewing and responding to submitted comments at present.

“There has not been enough time yet to incorporate these changes into our projects, so we cannot say that the platform has already led to specific changes. However, within one or two months, we expect to start seeing improvements,” he said.

The platform was launched on 16 March at an event held at the Sethsiripaya Auditorium in Battaramulla.