Fresh tenders for Kalpitiya islands
Sri Lanka’s new administration will be calling fresh tenders for 11 islands under the Kalpitiya development project to be given on 30-99 year leases. Three out of 14 islands were given on lease previously to investors however, work is yet to commence on these, officials said.
Fresh tenders will be called for Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Director General Malraj Kiriella told the Business Times in an interview recently adding that the authorities would be commencing work on the tender procedures to lease out the lands.
Prior to leasing out there was work to be carried out in term of development on infrastructure like water, electricity and transportation, he said.
Commenting on the fisherfolk issues concerning their lands and deprivation of livelihoods, he noted that these issues would be sorted out through an amicable settlement between both parties.
“We won’t displace them,” he said pointing out adding that tourism on the other would help them and with some portion of the lands said to be reserved for these persons.
At present authorities were reviewing the entire project and would come out with a plan on the implementation on leasing out and the models to be adopted on infrastructure development and ascertain the best and quickest way to go ahead with the project, the DG said.
As part of the Tourism Act of 2005 the government would also look at identifying tourism zones at Kalpitiya, Mannar, the hill country and the Northern Western areas for which a feasibility study has already commenced in this regard, Mr. Kiriella explained.
He also said they hope to increase the tourist duration of stays in the country and ensure visitors spend more; establishing linkages to get the informal sector streamlined as in providing a certification for cafes that are currently unregistered hotels and eating places to bring about standardisation.
In addition, the state agency is planning on providing improved facilities for domestic tourists to engage in comfortable travel across the country with improved places of accommodation by looking at how to develop these places in line with other countries where both public and private sectors work together in this regard.
The authorities are contemplating announcing these new plans for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season and the Vesak and Poson seasons as well.