The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) owns 510 acres of land in Kuchchaveli, out of which 160 acres have been identified by 10 investors who anticipate to begin operations within the next two to three years, The Daily Morning Business learns.
Speaking to The Daily Morning Business, SLTDA Tourism Planning, Development, and Investor Relations Director Dr. Prasad Jayasuriya said: “We want to develop Kuchchaveli as a beach resort. Moreover, we have already done the master plan for the resort development, including the surroundings and proposed activities.”
He pointed out that they have identified 10 investors for 160 acres, out of which six have already entered into lease agreements with SLTDA.
According to the SLTDA, currently, only one hotel, The Uga Jungle Beach, is in operation.
Moreover, out of the six leased-out properties, four of the projects are in the approval process through the investor relations unit of SLTDA, as the projects need approval from a plethora of agencies.
Unfortunately, it takes a little longer than what SLTDA expects, which is within the year, with so many agencies involved.
Dr. Jayasuriya stated that hopefully, once the projects get started, they anticipate at least four or five projects other than Uga Jungle Beach to be in operation within the next two to three years.
SLTDA stressed that the challenges they have encountered in the upcoming projects are that the water line has not come up to the property; it’s stopped at the beach. Therefore, carrying water to the construction sites will cost a lot of money, and currently, the water board is having financial issues with the current country’s situation.
However, SLTDA has communicated these issues with the investors and finalised a plan to carry water from bowsers to the construction areas.
Dr. Jayasuriya stated that hopefully, in the next two to three years, when the resorts commence operations, a pipeline will be ready; if not, the SLTDA will have to intervene and do the necessary.
Moreover, another 137 acres, which is on the opposite side of the road, were allocated for a golf course, but after the master plan was developed, they realised there was elephant movement from the jungle across this patch of land to the resort area.
Therefore, the patch of land is kept as an elephant habitat conservation area just to allow the animal movement, which will be an attraction for the resort with a few nature-friendly activities like tree houses and observation decks, all of which will be created there without obstructing the animal movement.
“Another 138 acres are allocated for common facilities like the road network within the resort office and some public areas, and we also have to leave some space for the animals to move freely without building a hotel,” Dr. Jayasuriya added.
He further added that they have only about another 60 acres left on the property for potential investors, and they have currently received about two new projects that will be evaluated.
