Taj proposes converting Nuwara Eliya’s colonial-era post office to hotel

Wednesday, 8 November 2023 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena

Cabinet Co-Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena says proposal came to Presidential Secretariat, specifics be disclosed upon project initiation
Supports moving Post Office if it can boost greater economic activities in area
Asserts UDA is also exploring ways to convert underutilised properties into investment opportunities

By Charumini de Silva

India’s Taj Group has proposed converting the Nuwara Eliya Colonial-era Post Office into a hotel.

“The proposal came to the Presidential Secretariat and the specifics will be made available by the Secretariat once the project gets off the ground,” Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana confirmed at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

The esteemed building, which also served as the Nuwara Eliya post office was constructed in 1894 and is famous for its distinctive Tudor-style architecture.

Noting the growing influx of Indian tourists to Sri Lanka, he highlighted attractions like Sita Eliya, a nearby site steeped in Ramayana mythology. Sita-Eliya is a town near Nuwara Eliya and is named after the Sita Amman Temple.

Gunawardena, who is also in charge of the Department of Post, voiced support for moving the Post Office if it might encourage greater economic activity in the area.

“The country has barely recovered from a severe currency crisis with the support of the IMF. If there is potential to increase foreign reserves through foreign direct investments (FDIs), we should support the Government’s strategy for converting underutilised State assets into investment opportunities. It would not only increase FDIs but also develop economic activity, job creation and people’s livelihoods,” he stated.

According to the Cabinet Co-Spokesman, at a time when no development agency or country is willing to extend financial aid for development work without restructuring the country’s foreign debt, the conversion of State-owned property with history, architectural and cultural lineage will serve in generating foreign reserves to

run the country.

He also cited the former town residence of the Bandaranaike family situated in Rosmead Place, which is now converted into a top-notch boutique hotel in Colombo an example, pointing out that the renovation of this type of historic site into a hotel promises to not only preserve its cultural significance but also contribute to the economic development.

Gunawardena said the Urban Development Authority (UDA) is also exploring ways to convert underutilised properties into investment opportunities.