Construction to commence on Jan 20’:

Lotus Tower will be South Asia’s tallest

The construction of South Asia’s tallest multi-functional Tower ‘Lotus Tower’ will commence on January 20.

The proposed tower with an entertainment centre will be constructed at the Beira Lake water front in Colombo and the total height of the tower is 350 meters, a statement issued by the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRCSL) said yesterday.

TRCSL is planning the construction of a multi-functional telecommunication tower and an Entertainment Centre which has been approved by the Cabinet.

The proposed tower will be constructed on a plot of land of 3.06 hectares, and it will be situated between the Eastern Beira Lake and D R Wijewardena Mawatha.

It is destined to be a striking city symbol and an important landmark by being the tallest Tower in South Asia. It will be a free -standing tower with a four-storey high podium; a concrete tower shaft of moderate diameter; eight storied tower head; and a steel framed antennae mast surmounted at the top.

The Tower will provide for Telecommunication and Leisure activities, and will facilitate the relaying of at least 50 separate broadcasting and telecasting services; provide facilities for about 20 service providers in telecommunication; and relaying of defence signals, and in addition indirectly contribute to the riddance and removal of high power TV & FM antenna innumerably located at various buildings in the Colombo City.

Apart from facilities related to multi-functional telecommunication activities, the tower podium will also accommodate a telecommunication museum, food courts; administrative offices; exhibition spaces and corresponding amenities.

The Tower shaft will be a hollow concrete cylinder accommodating high-speed lifts and stairs for vertical circulations, and ducts for various types of building services. The Tower head will comprise of eight floor levels accommodating an Observation Deck; Revolving Restaurant; Banquet Hall for 1,000 guests; and, two floors of super luxury hotel accommodation along with facilities for building services, which will include fire detection, fire fighting, overhead storage tanks and telecommunication instruments/ equipment etc.

The tower mast, surmounted on the tower head will provide a base for antennae of service providers in telecommunication, telecasting, broadcasting, and defence related transmissions etc. The Antennae will be installed at a height of between 250 and 350 meters above ground level, and they will cater to a range of different frequencies.

The TRCSL will finance and implement the project, with technical assistance obtained from the Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa. A Team of consultants led by Emeritus Prof Nimal de Silva, Prof Samita Manawadu and Prof Chitra Weddikkara of the Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa have provided professional advice on design, cost planning and cost control of the project. The cost of the Project is US$ 104.3 million.

A Chinese conglomerate comprising China National Electronics Import and Export Corporation (CEIEC) and Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co. Ltd (ALIT) will complete the project on a Turnkey Basis, using the concept and preliminary design drawn by local architects.

The Signing Ceremony of the Construction Contract between TRCSL and the Chinese conglomerate was held yesterday at the TRCSL premises. A party of 13 Chinese high ranking officials including GuoZhaoping (President, ALIT) Chen Xu (President, CEIEC), and Lin Changhai (Chief Designer) among others, and Lalith Weeratunga (Chairman, TRCSL and Secretary to the President) was present at the Signing Ceremony.