Ten islands in Kalpitiya as tourist destinations

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The government will lease 10 islands in Kalpitiya to develop them as tourist destinations under the Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Resort Project. Two islands have already been leased, Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said. The other eight are to be leased within a few years after infrastructure facilities in the islands are completed, he said.

The deputy minister said Kalpitiya will be the latest tourist attraction, similar to Bali and the Maldives. Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Resort project engineer, W Chandrasiri said

“The other eight islands will also be leased out within a few years after completing infrastructure facilities ,”he added.

He said Kalpitiya in the Northwestern coast would be the latest addition to World Tourist Zones, like Bali and the Maldives.

Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Resort Project’s Project Engineer W Chandrasiri said 14 islands in the Kalpitiya area have been selected for the initial stage of this project. The estimated total project cost will be four billion US dollars.

The project is expected to be carried out mainly through private investments while the government will facilitate the infrastructure development of the islands.

“Roads and houses will be constructed while more facilities will be provided for the fisheries industry. “The Ministry’s target is to attract 2.5 million tourists into the country by 2016. There is a requirement of about 50,000 hotel rooms to meet this target and 5,000 rooms will be constructed in Kalpitiya,”he added.

These will be constructed giving high priority for environmental protection and the natural beauty of the area. Kalpitiya can be a major tourist attraction with corals, dolphins, Wilpattu National Park, archaeological sites and rich cultural heritage in the Puttalam district,” he observed.

The Project Engineer also said necessary measures have been taken in coordination with the related Departments and Pradeshiya Sabhas to acquire 17 more islands in Kalpitiya. “With the completion of this addition, the new Tourist Zone would consist of 31 islands,” he further said.