Sri Lanka’s commercial capital launches first ever open street concept with CarFreeCMB
Sri Lanka has successfully launched its first ever open street concept in the country’s commercial capital, Colombo, with residents reclaiming their streets from Green Path to Independence Avenue on foot, bicycle, skateboard and rollerblades.
The programme – CarFreeCMB – has been jointly organized by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
CarFreeCMB was initiated to offer people a chance to experience everyday Colombo through a different lens and to promote a healthier and more sustainable urban lifestyle.
The CMC chose a relaxed Sunday morning to offer up this experience, keeping with tradition from other car-free days in the region in cities such as Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Taiwan, and Gurgaon, the local media has reported.
According to reports, a number of free community-led performances and activities were scheduled across over two kilometers of cordoned-off roads during this time, with easily accessible alternative routes provided for regular Sunday morning motorists.
There was something for everyone – thrill seekers and yogis, children and grandparents, the active and even the artistic. The Torrential Rollerblading Club together with Workout.lk marked their presence with speed skating stunts, media reports stated.
Accordingly, amateur cyclists were given the opportunity to learn from and meet likeminded individuals, following a spectacular bicycle parade by Colombo’s most notable cycling groups: Triathlon Club Colombo, Pedal Pushers, and Spinner.
Non-profit charity TandemVision were also present, raising awareness on paracycling as well as educating the public on their work in enabling the visually impaired to cycle through free rides by TandemVision pilots.
Reports further stated that fitness buffs were treated to sessions in the Krav Maga defence system by Master Wijesiri, Zumba by Dharshan, and the team from Colombo Night Run kept the spirit of running high.
The Little Gym was reportedly organized for the kids for enrichment and physical development centre for children, conducted sessions of ‘serious fun’ with parents joining in.
OSL take:
Sri Lankan authorities are looking at promoting the green and blue economy concept targeting a stable future for the country. Therefore, many economic sectors in the country have initiated programmes promoting green/eco friendly living as well as development. This has created many business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka covering almost every sector in the country’s economy. It could also be added to the ongoing development programmes as well. Therefore foreign businesses/investors could bring business/investment proposals to Sri Lanka aimed at promoting a green/eco concepts in the island.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/17072019/Z_6 |