‘Perth Paradise’, Sri Lanka’s much hyped mega township project in Horana becomes a daydream
View(s):By Bandula Sirimanna
‘Perth Paradise’, Sri Lanka’s much hyped largest township project in Horana has been halted midway following the Indian investor’s action to abandon the project, official sources said.
Housing and Construction Lanka Pvt Ltd affiliated to Ansal Housing and Construction Ltd, an internationally known construction firm in India had been entrusted with the task of implementing the project, a Board of Investment (BOI) official who wished to be anonymous, revealed.
The BOI had given 183 acres of prime land on the Panadura-Horana main road to build 1,500 houses, at an investment of less than Rs. 50 million, he said adding that the current value of the land is over Rs.700 million.
Only 62 houses were completed by Housing and Construction Lanka Private Ltd in the 1,500-houses township project since its commencement in 2001 up to now, he disclosed.
Residents in the area said that the land is lying idle without any development during the past 11 years and the authorities had not taken any action due to Indian pressure.
The first phase of constructing 1,500 houses in 183 acres was scheduled to be completed within two years according to agreement signed by Housing and Construction Lanka Pvt and the BOI.
Without completing even the first phase of the mega town ship project, the Indian investors have abandoned it giving no reasons, BOI officials said. Indian investor Ansal Housing and Construction Ltd along with its Sri Lankan subsidiary had undertaken the ‘Perth Paradise’, Sri Lanka’s largest township project on an 8,000 acre site in Horana in an agreement with the BOI to build a modern city with all facilities such as international schools, hospitals, shopping complexes, playgrounds, bus services, parks and clubs.
Minister of Investment Promotion Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena told the Business Times that he had visited the Perth Paradise project following complaints received by him and was trying to sort out the issues.
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