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Wednesday, 21 August 2013 00:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
It quoted Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena as saying that work on Packer’s US$ 350 million project to set up an integrated resort which includes a 400-room hotel with gaming facilities will commence as planned on the land initially assigned for it on D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo.
Abeywardena has said that although there were discussions to shift the project from the site opposite Lake House on D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha to another location down the road, it has finally been decided to continue with the project at the initially identified land. However, the Minister pointed out that there has been a change to the initial project plan, with the addition of a second tower. “Earlier, the plan was to set up one structure, but now, the agreement was changed to set up two towers. This will not disrupt the view of the Beira Lake,” Abeywardena observed.
The attempt to relocate Packer’s project was made due to proposals on developing the Beira Lake and surrounding areas by the Urban Development Authority (UDA).
It was then proposed that construction on the land opposite Lake House on D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha should be in the form of two towers and not one structure, since the construction of two towers would not obstruct the view of the lake.
Packer’s Crown Ltd. together with local partner Rank Holdings have formed a project company called Lake Leisure Holdings Ltd. to set up the mixed development project on D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha. The Australian businessman has agreed to invest US$ 350 million to build a 36-story skyscraper which will be known as ‘Crown Colombo’ in the heart of Colombo for a casino and gaming enterprise to be opened in 2016.
The large scale casino project has been identified as a strategic development project and has been granted tax exemptions by the Government.
