Pettah Floating Market

The Pettah Floating Markets are located on Bastian Mawatha in Pettah, a neighborhood in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and consist of 92 trade stalls, with a number of the stalls established on boats on Beira Lake.[1] The floating market serves as a tourist attraction selling local produce and local handicraft.[2]

Pettah Floating Market

The development of the floating market and beautification works were carried out by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) at a cost of Rs. 150 million.[3] Engineering units from the Sri Lanka Army in collaboration with the Urban Development Authority transformed Bastian Street, the street linking the Central Bus Stand in Pettah and the Colombo Fort railway station, into a green environment. The Sri Lanka Navy rehabilitated the polluted canal running alongside Bastian Street. The unique simple architecture of the stalls along the canal, designed by Thushari Kariyawasam, with grey cemented floors and minimalistic décor, tries to reflect the calm and undisturbed water of lake.[4]

The markets were officially opened by the Minister of Health, Maithripala Sirisena, on 25 August 2014.[5][6]

One of the objectives of the development was to relocate unlicensed street vendors off the footpaths, particularly in congested areas like the Pettah, where they had no facilities and were forcing pedestrians onto the road.[7] Priority was given to those traders who were impacted by the redevelopment on Bastian Street.[8] Businesses however have struggled at the floating markets due to high rents and low sales.[9] Traders have also criticised the open nature of the stalls and boats, which restrict their ability to secure their goods overnight.[9] The UDA has advised that it will be undertaking promotional campaigns and improving accessibility to the area in an attempt to improve visitations to the area.[9]

References
  1. "Floating Market equipped with 92 stalls awaits tourists". Sunday Times. 16 June 2014. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  2. Perera, Chaminda (16 June 2014). "Floating Market, Latest Attraction in Colombo". Daily News. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  3. "Floating market in Sri Lankan capital to be opened Monday". ColomboPage. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  4. Nazoor, Sara (27 April 2014). "A Floating Market". Ceylon Today. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  5. "Floating Market beautifies Beira Lake". News.lk. Department of Government Information. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  6. "Sri Lanka launches Rs150mn floating market in Colombo". LankaNewspaper. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  7. "Floating market adds charm to the City". Ministry of Defence (Sri Lanka). 15 June 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  8. "Sri Lanka Launches Rs150mn Floating Market in Colombo". Real Radio - 97.1. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  9. Tegal, Megara. "Business Sinking At Floating Market". Sunday Leader. Retrieved 23 June 2015.

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