More land identified for hotels in Colombo

By Cheranka Mendis

The Government has identified more lands for hotel sector investment in Colombo, but will hold back revealing the locations in order to keep the demand for land high among investors.

Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa speaking at a press gathering yesterday stated that more land such as the land given for the Shangri La construction and China Aviation Technology Import Export Cooperation (CATIC) in front of the Galle Face Green had been identified by the Ministry but would be kept secret for the land value to build up.

He stated that the need for an internationally-acclaimed five star hotel or a six star hotel in Colombo was high at present and that by welcoming the two hotels being planned, the need could be realised.

“While star-classed resort hotels are being built outside Colombo based on the sun-sea-sand concept and wildlife, Colombo is in need of high-profile city hotels,” Rajapaksa said.

Many investors have shown great interest in taking the opportunity of new found peace and new land to construct and establish their names in the emerging wonder of Asia, he revealed.

“We have to be ready for investors and not wait for investors to come to get ready.”

No tender process can be taken to accommodate investors as it will take too long to process, he said.

The land area that will be free after relocating the existing Defence Ministry and Army Headquarters to Battaramulla has been divided into parts and given over to Shangri La and CATIC and another patch of land will most likely be handed over to an Indian company to build yet another star class hotel. The Indian hotel company cannot be named as the final decision has not been taken, the Minister said.

“More development will happen in the surrounding area. Plans have been formed to convert the Army Hospital to a museum of sorts while a green belt is also in the pipeline. There will also be some development surrounding the Beira Lake area,” he noted. “The Colombo skyline will be completely changed.”