Why people need a facility like Galle Face Green - EDITORIAL

In the thick of the doom and the gloom people are experiencing at present due to the shortcomings of the Government there is some good news coming in the form of parking slots being made available for vehicles at Galle Face Green. 

People are undergoing much hardships these days and a facility like Galle Face Green is essential in terms of being available as a source of  entertainment. Imagine having to walk a long way after parking ones vehicle at a distant location to get to Galle Face Green. That is all in the past now because- according to the Police- motorists were granted permission from Wednesday (January 5) on wards to park their vehicles on the roadside closest to the green. 

According to the police, and reported in newspapers, this facility was closed to the public for some time to curtail the spread of the pandemic. Before that it was closed to the public to facilitate a government initiated project to beautify the beachside location. 

Under this programme, funded by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, 20 business establishments were to come up on the roadside next to the green. 
The Galle Face Green is very much a part of people’s lives; hence the using of this facility cannot be denied to the public. From political rallies, musical shows, religious gatherings and other forms of entertainment this place has retained its pride of place for hundreds of years. 

Going down memory lane we learn that this had been the venue for popular sporting events like horse racing, golf, rugby and cricket; records revealing that the first ever school cricket big match between S.Thomas’ College and Royal College (Formerly known as the Colombo Academy) had been played here. The year 
was 1880. 
Going beyond leisure activities we come to know that the green was laid out by the Dutch to be used in the war against the Portuguese. Hence the name given as ‘Galle Face Green’ is of Dutch origin, according to some historians. 

In latter years politicians have used this place as the venue for rallies. Political parties have showed their strength in terms of people’s power by getting a sea of heads on to the green 
during rallies. 
And just a hop away from the green is the prestigious establishment-Galle Face Hotel-where the aristocratic folk in the country make bookings to host weddings. 

Out on the green, on Sundays, you get crowds where people from all walks and religions are represented. It definitely is a place where cultures blend and history would not permit such a facility to be shut out for the people. The only little ‘black mark’ associated with the facility is people not being concerned at all when disposing of garbage. As a result the regime had to build creative garbage bins at the facility to encourage people to use them. However much people educate themselves and move up on the scale of the social ladder judgment can be made regarding ‘whose who was there’ by seeing how people dispose of non-degradable garbage. 

It’s good that the regime took a decision to allow parking at this facility. Given the times we are in such facilities are needed for people to relieve their stress. Both local and foreign tourists frequent this place for their leisure activities. Another plus point in providing parking facilities at the road close to the green is that the monies generated from parking tickets will provide revenue for the government. 

We all love this place for a stroll and a bite after a hard and tiring day at office or to cool off during the weekend. The sea, sand and the sound of waves are still refreshing just like in the past. But there is caution for those who let their eyes gaze towards the horizon. This is because a land reclamation project has been built at the sea, at a cost of US$ 15 billion, which would benefit the Chinese as much as it would the Government of Sri Lanka. 
It’s a place where the past, present and future for all Sri Lankans are loaded with memories, hope and concerns.