He was speaking at Waters Edge yesterday (25) to heads of media institutions regarding the western megapolis plan.

The first stage of planning in the three-stage plan has now been completed, he said.

It will not be the final plan, Ranawaka said, adding that it would be taken forward while accepting public ideas.

The second stage will see the project made into a legal institution, which will be done through an act by the middle of this year, he said.

That institution will be called the megapolis authority, said the minister, adding the project would be approved in parliament as a national programme.

The third stage will be the implementation which will be done step by step.

He added that the development of the western province would be done under a four point plan.