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| Sunday, 22 May 2005 |
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Galle Port to be converted into Yacht Marina hub by Gamini Warushamana The Galle Port will be converted into a new Yacht Marina hub in the coming years adding new dimensions to Sri Lanka's tourism industry, said Ports and Aviation Minister Mangala Samaraweera. According to the proposed plan the Galle port will be converted to a new tourism Yacht Marina linking the Galle heritage city. The Galle port development project will start in 2006 and it will be built preserving its former glory. The new development project will cost US$ 140 million and 70% of the project is funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JIBC) while the balance will be borne by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). Easing the sea traffic around the Colombo harbour is another objective of the Galle Port development project. The Galle port will be well equipped and bulk cargo will be diverted from Colombo to the Galle port. The Minister said that there is a huge potential for up-market tourism in this sector. There is no yacht Marina between Dubai and Singapore and the project also includes construction of hotels and other tourism infrastructure. The Ministry will work together with the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourist Board, the minister said. In addition to Galle, the Ministry has identified the potential in the tourism industry in Trincomalee. All lands with tourism value in Trincomalee belong to the SLPA. The Ministry is ready to release the lands for the tourism industry. Following the ceasefire Trincomalee has become a popular costal tourist destination. The project also proposes to make Trincomalee a 'Port City' for vacationers. Sunny and white sand beaches and deep blue seas are the main tourist attractions in Trincomalee. Under the project it is proposed to improve facilities for whale watching and deep sea adventures as their potential is now unexploited. Trincomalee will also be developed as a 'port shop' for international cruise lines. |
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