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| Sunday, 29 January 2006 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Rs 350 million to develop Kalpitiya Dutch Bay Islands by Surekha Galagoda
The Kalpitiya Dutch Bay Islands community based tourism development project will be developed by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board(SLTB) investing around Rs 350 million as an accelerated development project under the Mahinda Chintana. A meeting was held with President Mahinda Rajapakse which was attended by Tourism Minister Anura Bandaranaike, Deputy Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, Ministry Secretary Dr P. Ramanujam, Additional Secretary George Michael, Director General Kalai Selvam, T. Suriyagoda and Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga. At the meeting it was decided to solve the immediate problem of acquiring lands both state and private to the SLTB. The SLTB has to take over 1672.67 hectares of land from the state as well as individuals. The SLTB will present a cabinet paper through the Tourism Minister to accelerate the project. Under the project 14 islands including Battalangunduwa, Palliyawatta, Vellai I, II and III Uchchamunai, Ippantivu, Periya Arichchalai, Sinna Arichchalai, Eramativu, Sinna Eramativu, Eramutivu West, Kakativu and Mutwal (Dutch Bay) will be developed. The State Engineering Corporation, Urban Development Authority, Coast Conservation Department will develop the link between the Dutch Bay Island and Kalpitiya-Thiladiya as a waterfront gateway. The features incorporated to the waterfront gateway development consist of a causeway from the main island to the sand bar next to the mangrove island, suspension bridge from the edge of the causeway to Thiladiya Mohuttuwarama, Road way along the Thoradiya to Thilladiya Marina Development adjoining the new road way closer to the Thoradiya fish collection centre, vehicle parking site at Thilladiya, Urban development with mini supermarket, art and crafts centre, development closer to vehicle parking facilities, improved roads at Thilladiya and Mohuttuwarama, restaurant, information centre, picnic area and improved green space development. After the land is cleared and the master plan is finalised the SLTB will provide opportunities for investors to develop the zone. Up to now we have received about 20 proposals from investors in UK, USA, Germany, Singapore, Japan and Arabia said Assistant Director Development and Resort Management W. Chandrasiri. He said that once the land is cleared and the master plan is finalised the SLTB will invite proposals from investors to develop the zone. Tourist attractions within the zone include islands with different topography such as Dutch Bay and Portugal Bay, Bar reef marine sanctuary, marine life, sea grass beds, flora and fauna, birds and butterflies, natural forest, estuaries and lagoons, historical monuments, mangroves, natural botanical gardens, beaches and traditional fishing and agricultural activities. Fishing tourism, deep sea diving, nature based tourism, beach and leisure tourism, sports and adventure tourism, agro tourism, cultural tourism, village tourism, event tourism and religious tourism are to be promoted within the zone. The proposed investment opportunities available at the new development area include the hotel sector, infrastructure facilities, special developments in the zone, conservation of islands as tourist attractions and conservation and development of islands as botanical gardens. The zone can accommodate 17 hotels having 5,000 rooms. The expected employment generation is 37,500 persons both direct and indirect. There will be luxury accommodation units to attract upmarket tourist, hotels, chalets, water bungalows, ayurvedic hotels, beach cabanas, sun huts, open air performance areas, low cost accommodation units for budget travellers, guest houses, restaurants clubs, discotheques, training schools and camping sites. The proposed special developments in the zone include a domestic airport, underwater amusement park, golf course, race course and cricket playground. Vellai I, II and III, Eramutivu West and Kakativu islands will be conserved as tourist attractions while the islands Sinna Arichchalai and Sinna Eramutivu will be developed and conserved as botanical gardens. The accelerated project is being done by W. Chandrasiri on the advice of Director T. Suriyagoda on the direction of SLTB chairman Udaya Nanayakkara and Tourism Minister Anura Bandaranaike. Cathay Pacific to boost fleet with new aircraft Cathay Pacific Airways recently placed its biggest ever order for new aircraft to grow the airline, modernise and expand its fleet, a spokesman for the company said. He said the airline has made commitments for 16 advanced wide-body Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with purchase rights for 20 more. It also made commitments to acquire three Airbus A330-300s to operate regional routes. The 777-300ER's will be obtained through a combination of 12 direct purchases from The Boeing Company and four operating leases from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). The three new A330-300s will also be taken via operating leases from ILFC. The 777-300ER will be powered by General Electric GE90-115B engines and the Airbus A330-300 by the Rolls-Royce Trent 700. The 16 777-300ERs will be delivered between September 2007 and July 2010. All three Airbus A330-300s will be delivered in 2008. Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Philip Chen said: "These aircraft orders mark an exciting and significant milestone in the development of our airline-demonstrating our Board's confidence in the long-term future of the airline. The addition of these new aircraft to the 100 we will have by next year will make us a carrier of significant size." "More aircraft will allow us to have more flights, new destinations and greater hub connections. This rapid fleet increase will enhance our strength as a carrier. This is a long-term commitment to the continued profitable growth of the airline. It puts us firmly on a footing for future success," he said. SriLankan flights for children SriLankan Air Taxi has launched inexpensive flights on weekends specifically designed to give children and families the thrill of flying over the many different picturesque areas of the country. The half-hour flights operate on holidays and weekends from Ratmalana. "This flight has proved to be very popular among children and their parents. It's a unique outing for families on weekends," said Manager Air Taxi Herman Perera "Flying only a few thousand feet above the ground, far lower than regular jet airliners, SriLankan Air Taxi gives you a bird's eye view of Sri Lanka's exotic fauna and flora and the beauty of the Indian Ocean that you've probably never had before," he said. Taking off from Ratmalana, Air Taxi's Turbo Otter aircraft flies down the west coast to Kalutara, giving passengers an excellent view of the coastline. It then turns east up the valley of the Kalu Ganga, for a bird's-eye-view of the many vegetation types and diverse landscapes of Sri Lanka. It then turns and proceeds back to Ratmalana along an overland northwards route which provides a breathtaking view of the central hills, including Adam's Peak, the most beautiful and impressive mountain in Sri Lanka. He said each Turbo Otter aircraft can seat 10 passengers, so it's ideal entertainment for a group of children, as well as being very educational. SriLankan Air Taxi, the domestic arm of SriLankan Airlines, has made any part of the island accessible within an hour and now flies to 14 destinations - Kandy, Bentota, Nuwara Eliya, Hingurakgoda, Galle (Koggala), Weerawila, Ampara, Katunayake, Ratmalana, Trincomalee, Katukurunda, Sigiriya, Dickwella and Anuradhapura. SriLankan Air Taxi's daily scheduled return flights from Colombo to
Bentota and Koggala have proved very popular among tourists and locals,
carrying passengers from Colombo to Bentota in comfort in less than half an
hour, and on to Koggala in another 40 minutes. In comparison, a road trip to
Bentota can take up to three hours, and four hours to Koggala. |
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