Tourism Ministry cherry picking for convention centre land location

By Shehana Dain

Putting budgetary proposals into action, the Tourism Ministry is on the hunt to find the perfect location for a convention centre slated to cost up to Rs. 3 billion.

Noting that Ministry officials are currently eyeing two locations, Tourism and Christian Affairs Secretary Janaka Sugathadasa told the Daily FT that the decision process is nearing completion.

“We have looked into two locations; one is in front of BMICH where Sudarshi Hall is located. If this will come through we will have to have some sort of joint project with the Sinhala cultural institute because they have about one and half acres and the Urban Development Authority is willing to give one more acre just behind the Sudarshi hall,” Sugathadasa pointed out.

In that context elaborating on the second option he added that this particular land property which is adjoining the new town hall is two acres in scale and belongs to the Ministry of Finance.