Malima Club House opens in Uswetakeiyawa
M F Jabir
Commander of the Navy and Chairman Malima enterprise, Vice Admiral
Jayanath Colombage said, since emerging as a victorious Navy after the
defeat of terrorism in 2009,the Navy has embarked on a new journey in
2011, based on a concept of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa,
commencing several leisure and tourism projects island wide with a view
of contributing to the country’s economy.
He made these comments at a press briefing held at Club House in
Uswetakeiyawa, held to announce the opening of the facility.
Commander Colombage said the Navy with the introduction of the Club
House in Uswetakeiyawa on a two acre land had completed 10 projects
around the island under the brand name Malima.
As navy camps were situated in picturesque coastal locations, they
had decided to select a few such places and develop them to cater to the
needs of the tourist industry. The Club House Uswetakeiyawa was the 10th
project of the Navy since the arrival of peace. He said that in 90% of
these 10 projects were old buildings renovated and elevated to star
tourist attractions.
He said that on most occasions they had not laid any new foundations
for their constructions but used the existing ones. He cited Fort
Hammenhiel in Karainagar and Sober Resort, Trincomalee as typical
examples and said these constructions were initially built by the
British in the colonial era.
The Commander said the main reasons for them to indulge in these
projects was to make a contribution to the country’s economy by playing
a part in the booming tourist industry in the country and to open
picturesque palaces to the public which was at one time taboo to them
due to terrorism.
Similarly, this would provide opportunities to naval staff to gain
expertise in the hospitality trade which would be beneficial to them at
some time. He said the full income from these projects would we utilised
for the welbeing of the 55,000 naval force and their families. Under
this initiative the navy has constructed 10 properties.
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