by Dilanthi Jayamanne
The traders at the World Market in Pettah will be re-established in a newly designed World Market by October this year, a spokesman for the Ministry of Urban Development and Public Utilities said on Tuesday. The World Market was demolished last Saturday by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) displacing the shop owners who carried out business.

The ministry spokesman said that the demolition took place in order to make the city not only clean but look green as well. "Our endeavour is to create an international type city in year 2005, he added.

The proposed World Market will have 360 shops while those who were primarily occupying it would be given priority when the shops are allocated, he said.

The spokesman further said that although a majority of the shop owners were authorised occupants, there were a number of unauthorised occupants doing business towards the interior of the shopping complex.

The World Market which was established nearly 15 years ago had over a 100 shops, UDA Deputy Director General Planning and Operations, K. V. Dharmasiri said. They had been given the complex on a temporary basis during the tenure of the then Prime Minister R. Premadasa for security reasons. The traders had received better facilities later on. At present people especially women are afraid to approach the interiors of this shopping arcade owing to the fact that nefarious activities are taking place.

"Although the traders of the World Market have been temporarily displaced owing to demolition of it by the UDA, their interests will be looked after on a long term scheme by the Government and the UDA," Dharmasiri added.