 Hambantota back in 1999 set out to become the Ruhunupura industrial and agricultural zone but today the district has diverted its Master Plan to focus on industrialization and cash in on the lucrative travel industry.
Based on a land extent of 113,200 hectares with a population of over 206,588 as of 2001 Hambantota plans were initially underway for the construction of a port, and an agricultural zone in the Suriyawewa area.
In addition, other changes in plans drawn up in 2006 for a Greater Hambantota were for a Managed Elephant Range (MER) in addition to expanding the land area for Hambantota and the Walawe left dam project.
Changing landscape in the South
The landscape of massive tracts of undiscovered rugged terrain in the South and forest cover is now changing with all roads in the area turning out to be better than most in Colombo and taking a shape to give birth to a new city.
The new administrative complex at Siribopura is the new building that was scheduled to be opened last Wednesday when the Urban Development Authority in Hambantota shifts to its new address in town.
Currently space is available at the complex for 42 offices on a 48 acre of land, the UDA Assistant Planning Officer Indika Guruge told the Business Times during an interview at the Hambantota office.
He noted that currently there is an estimated population in the area of 3000 and the next office to move in will be the Road and Motor Vehicle - Southern Province branch.
In the future they expect the population to double to an estimated 6000, he said.
One of the other projects currently underway is the convention centre that is set to become the landmark project in the area of which about 60% is currently completed.
While this has been selected as the tallest, no skyscrapers can be set up in the Hambantota skyline which has been curtailed under the current development plans.
The Southern highway will be extended to Hambantota and the Matara – Kataragama railroad will be linked up to the district as well. However, the Sri Lanka Railway is lacking in funds to commence the project, which will be with an underground tunnel.
In addition construction is underway for the establishment of connecting flyovers at the main junction.
A New Address
Residents of Hambantota hit by the tsunami were relocated to Swarnamaleepura which consists of a housing scheme with 2900 houses. About 480 people living around the port were also relocated. However, one resident has refused to budge from the area having filed action against the Port authorities.
Further, customs officers and other similar personnel will be provided government quarters outside the port premises while most port workers will be given residence within the port.
A luxury housing project is earmarked behind the port on former state land belonging previously to the Timber Corporation on an extent of four acres. This will become the first in the area and has been provided on a long term lease by the government.
Further, the government has planned for the construction of a villa type luxury housing for VIPs on a 40 perch land while a special zone has been demarcated for foreign mission residences.
Sports, Education, Tourists
While Suriyawewa is selected for the Commonwealth Games village the Hambantota Beach Park on a 22- hectare plot of beach land is being developed with four courts for the conduct of the South Asian Beach Games in October. The long term plan for this beach park is to maintain it in a similar fashion as the Galle Face Green, which is in close proximity to the old Hambantota town.
In addition the much hyped private universities are also being accommodated in the vast tracts of lands available in the district. In this respect, within the Hambantota central business district about three universities while another four universities will be constructed in Suriyawewa on 50 acres. These universities will be established under the Board of Investment (BOI).
This old Hambantota town currently under development but still with the narrow lanes and its age old Martello Tower since the Dutch period along with the present District Office complex and the Leonard Wolf bungalow will be converted to a tourist attraction with the tourism zone to come up in this area.
Further, towards Tissamaharama several archeological sites namely the Tissamaharama Vihara, Sandagiri Chaitiya and the area overall is a clear depiction of the ruins that are in abundance and have stood the test of time.
The landscape is set to accommodate a University Complex, city hotels, institutional square, hospital and banking square.
Five star hotels namely the Shangri-La project which has already purchased lands while others have cleared their lands as well. In addition, one hotel by Sri Lanka Insurance and another by Jetwing is on still on the cards.
Today’s problems
Hambantota District Secretary/ GA R.M.D.B. Meegasmulla speaking with the Business Times at the District Office said one of the main issues today is problems as a result of the wildlife being threatened. The problem of monkeys has cost the government Rs.1 million that is now allocated in a bid to ensure these animals are caught and released to the surrounding forests.
In this respect, the GA said they are currently working with the Wildlife Department and the Peradeniya University.
He also pointed out that in relation to the wild elephants and the human-elephant conflict (HEC) they were currently in discussion with the Wildlife Department.
While measures to catch the elephants and release them to the wild or conserved area has been unsuccessful, Mr. Meegasmulla said they need to create increased awareness among the public of the issue.
Gaja Mithuro committees established on a village level basis assist in minimising any damage caused by the elephants as any trespassing is immediately reported to wildlife authorities in the area and who act upon it instantaneously.
However, he noted that this has not proved to be a long term solution and the problem persists in the area.
Elephants, clearly aware of any electric fencing, have taken their own measures to overcome it by simply bringing it down by placing a log on it and stamping it with its foot, the GA explained. At present about 28 km has been fenced, he said adding that this also covers the surrounding paddy fields as well.
Mr. Meegasmulla observed that in the district currently there is a problem of illegal sand mining in the Walave and Kirindi Oya.
While the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) is responsible for issuing permits for the carrying out of sand mining in these areas however, conditions are placed when granting these permits.
But, due to a lack of monitoring of these activities these conditions are violated resulting in a huge problem to the environment, he said.
Land prices surge
In an area where land was once selling at very low prices today it has shot up to nearly Rs.100, 000 per perch from marginal rates and Rs.500,000 per perch for land in close proximity to the port.
Due to these surging land prices illegal encroachments and the sale of state lands by unauthorized persons take place alongside the sale of privately owned lands.
Mr. Meegasmulla explained that they were currently working with the Land Registrar in this regard, to ensure no state lands are thus sold.
Amidst all these issues the District Secretary also noted that the development work has seen the establishment of 400 housing units in the area for which Rs.60 million has been allocated.
A further Rs.1260 million is allocated for the construction of provincial roads in extent of about 126 km while awareness programmes are being conducted in the area to cope with the problem of alcohol consumption under the “Mathata Thitha” campaign at a cost of Rs.9 million.
The countryside beauty still exists and can be clearly witnessed on the long drives along the main highways in the district with paddy fields stretching for miles on end alongside vast tracts of bare lands against the clear sky.
But rumblings can be heard in the distance and not too far in the future many more issues are likely to well up in Hambantota’s eyes from animals going wild, heightened illegal activities to losing its own identity.
Rock excavation at Magampura port delayed
Port construction in Hambantota has now commenced the second phase while excavation of the rock (at the sea passage to the port) has been delayed.
Project Engineer Shan de Silva speaking with the Business Times said previously work was held up due to the monsoon weather pattern but by September when this season lapses the blasting and excavation process will recommence.
Two buoys are placed between the channel and the sea, clearly identifying the location of the remaining part of rock that needs to be removed at the port.
A further 10 m depth has to be worked out in this area, which is expected to be completed within two weeks, Mr. de Silva said.
Changes in the port construction plans is carried out with the government now focusing on the construction of two berths instead of one in order to allow for ease of operation at the port. In Phase II six berths will be constructed with work already in progress.
A 30 hectare yard area with store, customer service, captain’s office and welfare buildings are under construction.
Similar to Phase I under the second phase dry excavation and dredging work in the lagoon are currently carried out.
The Logos Hope vessel, the floating book store, was berthed at the Hambantota port last week and was receiving a great interest by school children and families.
Government quarters previously constructed will be maintained for the use of providing accommodation for port workers, Mr. de Silva said.
He noted that currently there are about 200 locals and 100 skilled Chinese workers under the new phase. Previously the port employed in the early stages at least 500 locals and 300 Chinese workers.
In addition, a 14 storey building to house the Sri Lanka Ports Authority is under construction and is expected to be completed by November this year.
Port authorities believe the second phase can be completed within three years by which time the artificial island, which has been earmarked will also be completed.
Meanwhile, a 4 km stretch of the 20 km green belt is now completed surrounding the port in a bid to ensure this is a green project.
Construction of an oil tank farm will be completed by August located in close proximity to the port which will have a capacity to hold 14 tanks that could facilitate for pumping from the berths directly to the tanks. Similarly aviation fuel will also be loaded and pumped directly to the Mattala airport from the port.
(Business Times reporters, senior journalist Sunimalee Dias and photo-journalist J. Weerasekera not only covered an investment seminar in Hambantota last week but also used the opportunity to find out why everyone is talking of Hambantota being the next Colombo or Kandy!)
Sights and Sounds of Hambantota
 Sri Lanka’s second international airport to open in Mattala is scheduled to be operational by September next year.
Originally plans were underway to construct the airport to be completed by March 2013 but now the government has fast-tracked the process in a bid to ensure they are able to market the airport internationally, Airport and Aviation Services Limited Senior Civil Engineer Lalith I. Warusavitharana told the Business Times.
The main challenge in this respect is to complete the project costing US$206 million by September next year, he said adding they would have to do a crash programme with more workers and increased machinery.
Due to the fast tracking of this programme a slight increase in cost is likely to take place, Mr. Warusavitharana said, although there are no figures given in this regard yet.
As a result workers will be compelled to work on a 24-hour basis similar to the current operations at the port.
This is being carried out with the objective of promoting the Hambantota International Airport (HIA) and surrounding areas to international visitors, the official said.
Construction work commenced in March 2010 on a land area of 800 hectares involving both Chinese and local workers from Hambantota and Lunugamvehera.
About 50% of the runway is now being completed and considered longer than the one at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). It stretches for a length of 3.5 km with a 75m width with the ability to accommodate A380s as well. Most of the earthwork involving leveling and ground formation is carried out with more than 95% already completed.
Soil excavated at the airport is used for road filling work, which was seen being transported out of the location.
The cargo terminal under construction is scheduled to handle 45,000 MT of cargo. The main reason for such a capacity is to ensure that this airport will be used mainly for cargo purposes with 60% for cargo and 40% for passengers.
The control tower with a lotus flower image on top will be one of the outstanding features of the airport under construction to stand at 40.5 m, which is taller than the BIA’s 36 m.
The 10,000 sq. m. passenger terminal also under construction is expected to be operational next year with the ability to accommodate 1000 passengers with two contact gates and two boarding bridges.
The apron provides parking space for nearly 10 aircraft of both large and small body aircraft. Also under construction is the passenger car park alongside the columns on the fire bridge.
Cost of the first phase at $209 million involves $46.5 million for the runway, $25 million for the control tower and passenger terminal, $16 million for the apron, and $7 million for the fire station.
A botanical garden in Sri Lanka after 130 years
 The largest botanical gardens is being developed in Hambantota at a cost of Rs.500 million, unique to the dry zone with its endemic plant species.
This is conveniently located in the Mirrijiwila area on the Sooriyawewa – Hambantota road on a 300 acre land area becoming the first to be made since the colonial era about 130 years.
With the aim of attracting tourists numbering about 200, 000, the Botanical Gardens Officer Sumith Ekanayaka said it is likely to bring in revenue from visitors to the area.
Currently there are only four permanent staff while the others are on contract numbering 74.
The main purpose to develop a garden in the dry zone is to conserve dry and arid zone plants ‘ex-situ’.
The new botanical gardens will provide ex-situ Conservation of dry and arid zone flora; studies on lesser known and under utilized plants in the dry zone; a specialty in dry zone landscape improvement; herbal industry promotion; education and training on botany and floriculture and eco tourism promotion. The new garden will also be an educational resource, for educational institutions of all levels and will be a source of expertise particularly in the longer term where Diploma courses and other formal educational provision in Floriculture and herbal industries will become more important and popular within the educational curriculum.
Chinese-run restaurant in Hambantota
Travelling along the Hambantota road just before the old town area onto the right is a Chinese Restaurant that stands out alone run by a typical Chinese.
Having resided in Sri Lanka for about one-and-a-half years in Colombo and having heard of Chinese workers coming in to work at the port Lu Zeng Shan geared up to set up shop in close proximity to the port.
 The restaurant has been up and running from No. 108/1, Siribopura, Hambantota for about one year for August this year. Its local manager is a resident of the area who works with two other Sri Lankans, a boy and girl amidst a number of Chinese nationals running this business. It was pointed out that mostly locals patronize the restaurant and less Chinese workers as the latter have a restaurant within the port premises itself.
Although there were no customers present at the time we walked in they expect to cater to the wide Chinese variety of food to workers of this nationality working in the area. The cuisine varies between Japanese, Korean and Chinese dishes with the ability for anyone to eat this food, the local manager said.
However, the change in taste is mainly due to the use of different types of sauces, the local manager said. |
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