Hambantota - way to city hub of Lanka

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE in Hambantota

Hambantota was once considered an area frequented by elephants, robbers under developed to such an extent that there wasn't even a decent tea kiosk to quench your thirst.

There was no drinking water available, let alone sanitation. "Many people passed Hambantota on their way to Kataragama, but no one wanted to stop over at Hambantota as it did not have anything to offer," said Ports, Aviation and Water Resources Minister Chamal Rajapaksa.

This is the past. But, today a 'Development Tsunami' spearheaded by the government, has hit Hambantota and the South.

"We have just started the development and in two years Hambantota would be one of the most developed districts in Sri Lanka," he assured.

"The other neighbouring districts, Matara, Galle and especially Moneragala will also reap the benefits by this development and would turn prosperous", he said

Chairman Southern Development Authority, Ranjith Gunasekera said that the Southern Development Authority was founded in 1996 and in the past two years it has received more funds and development work carried out in the past 12 years.

The focal point of Southern prosperity begins with the Hambantota Port development project - a proposal which was not touched for over two decades.

The second biggest project to usher opulence is the ongoing Colombo-Matara toll expressway to be completed next year.

Construction work at the Hambantota Harbour clockwise. The new Hambantota Fisheries Harbour (bottom) Pix by: Sudath Nishantha

This will be followed up by the extension of the Colombo - Matara train service first to Beliatta, under the second stage to Hambantota and then Kataragama. After a lull this project has once again got off the ground with construction in full swing.

The project would be a boon for farmers as they could send their products to the main cities, thus minimizing post harvest losses.

Gunasekera said that the Authority is now implementing the 'Gama Neguma' program where over 150 villages in the province were being developed. "We concentrate on eight sectors in agriculture, fisheries, plantation, HR, infrastructure, industries, Planning and land, coordinating with relevant line ministries and investors."

"Already we have negotiated to re-open several tea factories which remain closed and industries in the area thus helping to bring back livelihoods of the people," he said.

Over 1,500 acres of abandoned paddy fields too have come under the plough with credit facilities made readily available.

Road network is being done up linking inaccessible villages such as Lankagama with the main road network. "We have already constructed over 2,000 kilometres of new roads in remote rural areas," Gunasekera added.

Construction work on the proposed canned fish factory with a New Zealand investor would commence next month in Galle. In addition, Laugfs Holding is planning to put up a gas terminal in Hambantota exploiting the facilities to be made available from the proposed Hambantota Harbour, investing over US $ 25 million.

The Company will also start manufacturing salt at the second lot of salt pans close to Hambantota mainly for industrial use. "These are some key development projects which the private sector has initiated," he said.

The development of the Galle Harbour is in progress with dredging underway to accommodate luxury yachts. "This Finger Pier would be ready by early next year bringing in unprecedented business to over 20,000 hotel rooms and the cottage industry in the South.

Unemployment

While Colombo and Gampaha districts enjoy the highest per capita income, they also boast of an unemployment rate of 6 per cent. "The Southern Province average is around 8.8 per cent, and with this development taking place it would reduce to 6 per cent in two years," he predicted.

The proposed Mirijjawila industrial zone would generate over 5,000 high paying employment opportunities.

Sector Manager Southern Development Authority Sunil Wannigama said that 20 acres close to Madu Ganaga in the Galle district had been acquired for eco tourism.

"This land is close to the Southern Highway and LECO and People's Bank have being provided with five acres of land for the project," he said.

Another five-acre block is being reserved for a foreign investor.

Training programs are going on to mould youth to meet the future development demands while self employment training too is given priority.

In addition, agriculture would generate a tremendous cash flow to the villages making their buying power very high.

Lighting Hambantota

Lack of proper electricity and fluctuating power supply was one of the main problems faced by residents as well as investors.

"This is why President Mahinda Rajapaksa took an initiative and created the 'lighting Hambantota' project two years ago," said Project Director, S. Bogahawatte.

Rs. 4 billion is being pumped in for this project. This is also fulfilling one of his election pledges.

The area had only around 65 per cent of rural electrification and under this project nearly 85 per cent of the population is now being provided with electricity.

"We will meet the 40, 000 household and industrial demand in two years," he said.

This would also include power supply to the Hambantota port, airport and other development projects, both of the private and government sector.

He said that since households are spread with a distance from each other, authorities were not too keen to provide electrification as the overheads were high.

A grid station is being constructed in Beliatta and a new 108 km express line is being installed as a feeder line to halt unwanted power cuts.

In a bid to provide employment, most of the concrete polls are being purchased locally while local contractors are being hired.

Theme parks

For the first time in South Asia a 500-acre animal park is being designed in Hambantota. The idea is to let the animal road free and visitors would be able to get a view, not only in day time,but also in the night," said Director Planning, Hambantota Divisional Secretariat Ms. S. Rajapaksa.

Government hopes to invest Rs. 500 million for this project which would be a major tourist attraction for both locals and tourists.

This concept is currently being implemented in Singapore where 40 hectares of dense secondary forest is open for visitors giving the experience of exploring wildlife in a tropical jungle at night.

This is the world's first nocturnal zoo and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Singapore.

"We also hope to have African lions, zebras and many other species that are not available in Yala," she said. A reptile park too would be constructed in this area. An electrical fence would be installed for the safety of the visitors. "Here animals will roam freely while the visitors would be caged," she said.

A unique concept of this project is that some of the animals would be released to the jungle when they breed.

Another project is the construction of the 300 acre Botanical garden in Hambantota.All the dry zone plants would be presented here and artificial lakes too would be created to add beauty," she elaborated.

Both these projects would be ready by mid 2011.

A beach park is already open for visitors to relax and enjoy the sea. This is also a good resting point for pilgrims to Kataragama.

Tourism picking up

Peacock Beach Hotel.

White tigers at the Singapore Zoo.

Nalin Fernando.

One of the first star class hotels to be put up in Hambantota is Peacock Beach which is being refurbished to meet the demand.

Director General Manager, Peacock Beach Hotel Nalin Fernando says that they are converting some rooms to apartments to cater to officials who would be in Hambantota to supervise development. This is the first time an outstation hotel has launched this concept.

"In addition, we are also upgrading our rooms and conference facilities," he said. He added that today they offer 96 rooms, four suites in addition to the apartments.

With the adverse travel advisory against Yala taken off by European countries, more tourists, both local and foreign, are now visiting Yala giving them more opportunities. To meet this demand they are offering special packages and excursions to both locals and tourists.

"In addition, the rapid development in the area has given us new vistas in catering and conference which were not possible a few years ago," he said.

"This is why I say that we can even now survive even without tourism," he quipped.

More development

In a bid to provide all services under one roof to the public, a five storied administrative complex is being built in Hambantota. All the government offices would be located here and this is to be opened this year.

In addition, a conference hall similar to BMICH is being built in the area by the Korean Government. This too would be ready early next year and it would have the capacity to host any international event.

The Hambantota Fisheries Harbour is now open giving access to large multi day fishing boats, as well generating more employment.

Cool room facilities too

The new flood lit cricket stadium in the area would spur cricket enthusiasts and two international matches are scheduled to be played at this venue in 2011. The international Southern motor track is also another important sports landmark.

In addition to the new road network, a new 400-acre lake is being built close to Debarawewa to stimulate agriculture and fulfils the drinking water needs.

Minister Rajapaksa says that the new Mattala Airport would be ready in two years and with the port opening next year, Hambantota would be the most talked of city hub in Sri Lanka.