Table of contents

1. Study area

1.1 Historical development of Biyagama ……………………………….………….…....…03

1.2 Economic developments of Biyagama …………………… …………….………..……04

2. The need of the plan …………………………………………………………….….…...……05

3. Goals of the development plan ………………………………………………….….…...……07

4. SWOT analysis…………………..……………………………………………………………08

5. Proposed development plan and review…..……………………………….……………….…11

6. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………….…15

7. References…………………………………………………………………………………….15

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01. STUDY AREA

Biyagama is a town located in the Gampaha

District of Sri Lanka, 21 kilometers east of
Colombo. It is known for its industrial zone,
which produces a variety of products, and its
historical significance, with several ancient
temples and landmarks of cultural and
religious significance. Biyagama, one of the
twenty sub basins of Kelani River which
Figure 01: - Location of Biyagama PS area
belongs to the wetland zone as per the
geographical location has well connected tributaries and canal system with Kelani River, sensitive
wetlands and paddy fields. The reported temperature is 27 °C while having rainfall of 2500 mm.

Biyagama, a "Growth center" of Gampaha district, with the open economy, the second Export
Processing Zone was established in 1985 due to strengthen the private sector intervention. There are
three industrial clusters in Biyagama, including Biyagama EPZ, Sapugaskanda Lindel industrial estate,
Dimo and other industrial enterprises clusters. Due to the employment-based manufacturing industry
expansion and job opportunities a major residential area was added. It has been planned to promote
industrial land use by 40% and decrease residential land use up to 15%, with an estimated population
of 285,000 by 2010. The population growth rate in the area is expected to reach 247,000 by 2030.

01.1. Historical developments of Biyagama

The history of Biyagama is revealed through folk heritage

and the war history of Sri Lanka. It was a protected area for
the Sinhala army and the Royal Palace was built on
Rakshapana rock plain. Malwana fort was built by the
Portuguese in 1590 and was used for protection of soldiers.
Apart from that traditional industries such as fire wood,
gold & silver, weapons, and clay have been popular
throughout the area. Figure 02: - Malwana fortress

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After the colonized era, the Local Bottling Plant of Pure Beverages, that later became Coca-cola
Beverages Sri Lanka, was established in 1955 and the Sapugaskanda Refinery was established in
1969. With the rising of those industries, development of transportation sector also increased. As
examples, construction of Kaduwela bridge in 1982 created a link between Biyagama - Colombo road
and Low-level road. Samurdhi Mawatha is the main port link road corridor, connecting the
Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery Centre and the Biyagama Export Processing Zone.

01.2. Economic developments of Biyagama

Figure 03: - Biyagama Export Processing zone

Biyagama has experienced significant economic development in recent years, largely due to its
industrial zone. The establishment of the Biyagama Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in the 1990s
marked the beginning of the town's industrialization, and since then, a large number of factories and
manufacturing plants including Coca-cola Beverages, Lion Brewery, Ansell Lanka, Brandix, Richard
Pieris Exports etc. have been set up in the area.

The industrial zone is home to a diverse range of industries, including textiles, rubber, plastics, food
processing, and pharmaceuticals. Many of these factories are operated by international companies, and
they provide employment opportunities for a significant portion of the local population. In addition to
providing jobs, the factories also contribute to the town's economy by generating revenue and boosting
exports.

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 Figure 04: - Outer circular expressway Figure 05: - Kelani River water treatment plant

02. THE NEED OF THE PLAN

 Conflict between environmental sensitivity and current industrial development

The land use composition of

Biyagama Urban Development Area
is composed of 13% productive agro
wetlands and 6% marsh and
waterbodies. This indicates that the
area is inheriting a sensitive wetland
environment. The rapid growth of
industrial development has caused
unauthorized filling of low-lying
areas, leading to problems such as
interruption of water flow, abandoned
paddy fields, and flash flood situations. Figure 06: - Land Use changes over years
The Vegetation Index (NDVI) has been used to analyze the transformation of green patches in different
periods of time and the transformation with area development. Also, the public stakeholder meeting
raised issues related to water pollution, such as fish deaths in the Raggawatta canal and increased
wastewater discharge into the Kelani River.

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Environmental research and flood data have identified critical environmental sensitive areas in the
Biyagama area, with high sensitivity wetlands, especially in the southern part. But at the same time,
the current industrial trends and expansion are also concentrated in the same direction. These issues
have led to the need for preventive actions and emergency responses in planning intervention.

 Socio-economic impact due to Kelani river flood

The Biyagama PS area is facing a

socio-economic impact due to the
annual flood in the Kelani River.
This has caused unauthorized
construction, land filling, lack of
drainage system, and boundary
walls to increase the flood
impacts. Additionally, the main
junctions connecting New Kandy
Road, Malwana - Dekatana Road
were obstructed, affecting the Figure 07: - Workers going to work during floods

industrial sector as well as the livelihood of the people. This has also disrupted the transportation
system of industrial production and raw material.

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03. GOALS OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

With the vision of “A Greenscape Industrial City Idol of Western arena by hosting an interaction space
to cater a variety of industrial needs” the development plan of Biyagama has stated two main goals.

 Create multifaceted clusters while promoting unified industrial economic needs - Multi-
sectoral clusters are created to attract industrial investments and promote industrial
development through physical infrastructure and urban service clusters.

To achieve that goal several objectives have been stated.

o To open up 13% from the total land area through collector road pattern for industrial
investments by 2030.
o To promote industrial oriented business zone around central investment corridor by 2025.
o To facilitate 30% of manufacturing sector employment contribution by the end of 2030
o To facilitate 3 multi- nodal neighborhood clusters by 2030.

 Control the emergence of shocking city with negative environment and social scenarios -
Biyagama should promote sustainable industrial development and control urban development
with eco-social strategies.

To achieve that goal several objectives have been stated.

o To conserve 100% of critical wetlands that tolerate the surplus flood water of the area by
2030.
o To introduce wetland stewardships for 130 ha of abandoned agro wetlands with CER by
2030.
o To minimize the flood impact by restorative flood protective and treatment areas by the
end of 2025

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04. SWOT ANALYSIS

In order to achieve above mentioned goals and objectives, a SWOT analysis which help assess internal
and external factors that could affect the plan was done at the initial stage. Those identified SWOT
factors are mentioned below.

For the goal 01 - Create multifaceted clusters while promoting unified industrial economic
needs

Strength Weakness

 Having the basic production factors  98% of the land area of Biyagama EPZ
such as land, capital, labor, and reached to its maximum carrying capacity
entrepreneurship.
 70% of the roads in the area are narrow
 Industrial Suitability Index displayed local roads.
the 84% from the total land extent as
high and moderate suitability level for  Kelani river seasonal flooding blocked 07
industrial investment promotions. major transport nodes.

 Sub towns and nodes based spatial  Absence of industrial oriented business and
setting of the area. financial area

 Recorded 69% of rapid commercial  Not allocated spaces for service line
development. maintenance.

 Inadequate health facilities in relation to the

residential and commuting population.

 7 % from the housing categories indicates

the improper and informal line houses.

 Maintain a solid waste sorting center in

prime location which could be used for
urban service and utilities in Delgoda Town

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Opportunities Threats

 National & Regional level planning  Main port access roads discouraging freight
direction transportation
- Traffic congestion in Kiribathgoda
 CMRSP & CESMA plans stressed the town center
industrial development - Peliyagoda 4th Mile’s post railway

 Upcoming flood mitigation projects of  bridge restricts vehicles more than 3.5 m
CRIP –DBIP height.

 3K Area project proposed to develop  Proposed Millawa industrial estate with

Delgoda & Malwana town centers 780 acres in Kaluthara district

 Trend of establishing small scale multi –

tenant business model industrial parks

 Manufacturing sector investment

opportunities from the structured
proposed projects by BOI

 Up - coming transport development

projects (Biyagama – Kosgama Railway
Project/Kadawatha - Light Railway
Project)

 Proposed logistic corridor /Science &

Tech City Development

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For the goal 02 - Control the emergence of shocking city with negative environment and
social
Scenarios

Strength Weakness

 6% of the land use composition belongs  Present industrial establishments

to environmental features (365 Ha - distributed close to sensitive wetlands.
Marsh/Water bodies /Scrubs)
 Biyagama sub basin recorded 73 of
 13% of productive agro-wetlands act as industries from the A, B, & C types of
natural buffer zones and water retention pollution potentials of respectively 14, 58
areas &1

 Availability of public and private open  47 % of abandoned paddy lands out of

spaces of 11.7 ha total paddy lands distributed in southern
part of the area.
 Availability of 08 minor flood
protection structures  1100 families recorded as encroached
theKelani river reservation and canal
banks, encroachments

 Approximately 20,000 people affect to

flood annually & inundation time period
varies into 4 -7 days

Opportunities Threats

 National Manifesto Guidance through  2842 industries are recorded with

Eco Industrial Zones different pollution potentials in Kelani
river basin
 WRSP-2030 identified an eco-
conservation zone of 100m buffer along
Kelani river

 Upcoming flood mitigation projects of

CRIP –DBIP

 Regulations related environment

protection

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  Current Industrial Policy & Sustainable
Approach

05. PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND REVIEW

To achieve the above mentioned goals, a development plan is created with mainly focusing on the
infrastructure development, Economic
Development and Environmental
sustainability. Due to the industrial
development and road network system,
Biyagama is proposed to convert to a
central investment corridor in this plan.
Promoting sustainable industries and
maintaining highly sensitive agro Figure 08: - Concept plan of Biyagama development plan
wetlands are a major part of plan.

Infrastructure Development 

High population density and low land space level is one of the major issues faced in Biyagama. That
issue was addressed in the development plan as below.

 Population, Population Density & Housing units were analyzed and planned zone wised.
 Hostel facilities were proposed to establish for temporary occupants
 Urban service centers were proposed in town centers, sub town centers and local nodes
 Health and educational service and public market facilities were identified
 Open spaces and recreation facilities like public playgrounds, public libraries, cinema hall and
theatres were proposed
 The importance of accident and fire rescue facilities were identified
 Two railway stations and LRT stations were proposed

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  New road development corridors and road
hierarchy were proposed
 Water treatment plant was proposed to
establish in Mabima, in order to fulfil future
water requirements
 New power transmission stations and power
supply lines were proposed
Figure 09: - Proposed waste water treatment plant

Review of the Infrastructure development plan –

In the proposed plan, providing zone wise house plans and hostels are one of the very good
solu ons for increasing popula on density of the area. In there, 10 different zones were
iden fied according to land use and commercial uses.

Since the area consists of many temporary residents, hostel facili es are more sufficient for their
requirements and budget. But the plan only has men oned about encouraging hostel facili es
and there weren’t any ways of doing it. The healthcare infrastructure facili es also iden fied as
needed to be improved. But same as the hostel facili es, there weren’t any strategies of doing
that. Biyagama area s ll has the adequate space and financial support. Those areas could be
further developed.

Another improvement that should be added to the plan is, emergency and fire rescue plan.
Biyagama area has several large-scale produc on factories, warehouses as well as Sapugaskanda
oil refine facility, the occurrence of accidents and fire is rela vely high. Although the plan has
iden fied the importance of fire rescue plan, there wasn’t any implementa on methods. The
plan mainly focuses on road and open space facility development.

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Economic Development 

The Biyagama Development Plan aims to create multifaceted clusters and promote industrial
economic needs, opening up 13% of land area for industrial investments. The proposed strategies are
as follows:

• Central Investment Corridor Strategy - Promote the Samurdhi Mawatha and Gonawala -
Sapugaskanda road, provide access to Colombo port, while establishing a center for industrial
banking & financing, create a skill up-gradation center, improving health facilities etc

• Local Industrial Collector Strategy - Aims to open up 13% of land area for industrial
investments and identify major internal road corridors to develop with four lanes.

• Plug & Play Industrial Parks Strategy - Industrial parks with infrastructure facilities are
proposed to attract large-scale manufacturing industries.

• Riverfront Productive Tracts Strategy - Create textile-related raw material-based businesses by

taking advantage of Kelani River.

Review of the Economic development strategies –

The Economic development strategies have u lized the usage of natural resources like Kelani
river, wetland parks and geographical loca on for economic purposes of the area. But one of the
major drawbacks of the plan is, it only considers the industrial economic needs. The social
economic needs should also be considered as the part of the economic development.

The area has an historical value as it was used as an important war fort, not only that many
tradi onal industries such as fire wood, gold & silver, weapons, and clay were developed there.
But the plan did not pay an a en on on those historical values. The livelihood of the residents
can be improved using those tradi onal industries. The historical knowledge and values of those
industries can be used to a ract tourists.

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Environmental Sustainable Strategies 

Figure 10: - Riverfront Park Development Project Figure 10: - Proposed public open space

The Biyagama PS area has 19% of environmental features, and the proposed sustainable environment
development strategies aim to conserve the sensitive wetland ecosystem and develop the Biyagama as
a Tranquilized Industrial City with wetlands. This will minimize conflict between industrial
development and sensitive wetlands and protect water retention areas to mitigate flood impact.

• Wetland conservation plan – Wetlands were identified and zoned as Wetland Nature
Conservation Zone and Paddy Cultivation & Wetland Agriculture Zone. Those are conserve to
enhance ecological, tourism and recreational opportunities while increasing biodiversity

• Landscape plan - Wetlands will be proposed to promote as wetland parks to enhance public
outdoor recreation and minimize unauthorized wetland fillings

• Disaster Risk Reduction Plan – Actions were identified to mitigate the socio-economic impact
from natural disasters, specifically the floods due to Keleni river

• Public Outdoor Recreational Space Plan – Suggested to reconstruction of existing parks and play
grounds, develop the Linear park concept, and flood prevention, retention and paddy cultivation

Review of the Environmental sustainable strategies –

The wetland conserva on plan of the Biyagama area was very effec vely implemented. The
wetlands zoning, stakeholder contribu on, flood and disaster risk reduc on, recrea onal plan,
all were well intergraded and sustainably beneficial.

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06. CONCLUSION

Biyagama, also known as the growth center of Gampaha District due to its massive economic as well
as the population growth, has faced issues like conflict between environmental sensitivity and current
industrial development and socio-economic impact due to Kelani river flood. In order to address those
issues, a development plan with three major development sectors as infrastructure, economic and
environmental sustainability was prepared. The proposed plan well addressed the areas like zoning,
resource utilization, environmental integrity, sustainable use of wetlands etc. But the areas like social
development, risk and emergency management, traditional industrial development were not addressed.

07. REFERENCES

1. https://www.uda.gov.lk/attachments/dev-plans-2021-
2030/Biyagama%20Development%20Plan%20-%20English.pdf (10/05/2023)

2. http://biyagama.ds.gov.lk/index.php/en/planning-unit.html (28/05/2023)

3. https://investsrilanka.com/biyagama-zone-profile/ (28/05/2023)

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