Sri Lanka’s first ever gold centre that is being constructed at the former St. John’s fish market site in Pettah was ceremonially declared open to the public yesterday.

The centre has 83 gem and jewellery stores, ample parking space, security, banking facilities and a restaurant to improve consumer convenience. A gem and jewellery certifying authority has also been established at the gold centre for consumers to easily certify their products. The UDA said the first two stories of the five storied building would be opened in September while the architectural designs and drawings were being done for the remaining three stories under stage two of the project. According to UDA proposals the third storey will house convenience stores (toy shops, accessory and gift stores etc), the fourth storey will facilitate banking units and the fifth storey will be set up for offices. Speaking to the media last week Weerasena Adikari, Senior Consultant (Planning) of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) said the building was mainly being constructed as a tourist attraction and that a proposal had been put forward to introduce a shuttle service to hotels in the area to facilitate tourist convenience.