Hambantota district a key business hub soon

by Naalir Jamaldeen

Architect Ananda Samarasingha.

The Government has implemented mega infrastructure development projects in the Hambantota district. Many infrastructure facilities are available in the district to improve the industrial sector and promote the tourism industry. Nearly 75 percent of infrastructure development has now been completed. Electricity and drinking water problems of people too have been addressed. Once the ongoing projects are completed the district will turn into a transit point for business. Tourism and industrial sectors are expected to grow fast, Project Director and Chief Consultant of Hambantota Priority Projects Architect Ananda Samarasingha said. He said that the Urban Development Authority (UDA) introduced a masterplan to develop the Hambantota district. The project area which come under the master plans consists of 113,000 hectares within the limits of Udawalawe road, Kirindi Oya and Walawe Ganga from the coastal belt.

A large number of cities which are situated surrounding Hambantota city including Sooriyawewa, Thanamalvila and Thissamaharama will be developed under the Master Plan, Architect Samarasingha said. Construction of the international harbour, airport and international convention centre were also in the master plan, Samarasingha said.

“The projects which were included in the master plan were implemented in several phases. Hambantota Administrative Complex was built under the first phase. Later the masterplan was known as Greater Hambantota Development Project. The Urban Development Authority was the implementing agency of this development project. Government Departments which functioned in different places in the city were shifted to the new complex. Now the people in the district are able to get done their works easily”, Samarasingha said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa opening the plaque of MRICC and Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa Ministers Mahinda Amaraweera, Nirmala Kothalawala, Namal Rajapaksa (MP) and other distinguished invitees look on.

The masterplan also consisted of an oil refinery, industrial zone and a commercial zone, Samarasingha said. “Livelihood development projects are also included in the masterplan. Road development has successfully been completed. We are in the mid of the proposed program. All projects were implemented step by step”, Samarasingha said.

“MRICC passed the message to the world about the infrastructure and livelihood development projects implemented in the Hambantota district under the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ national development concept”, Samarasingha said.

He said that Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) was the media which highlighted about the major development achieved in the Hambantota district. Once Hambantota which remained a underdeveloped district now has turned into a hub of prosperity. Architect Samarasingha said that CYF was also a turning point in the lives of a large number of youth in the district and across the country. Samarasingha said that Udawalawe and Yala national parks, Bundala Bird Sanctuary are situated close to Hambantota tourism industry and can also be promoted easily in the region keeping Hambantota city as transit point, Architect Samarasingha said. Magampura Ruhunu International Convention Centre “Commonwealth Youth Forum was the first and biggest event held in Magampura Ruhunu International Convention Centre (MRICC) after it was opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Ministers and distinguished invitees were also present”, Samarasingha said.

Samarasingha said MRICC is an outcome of collective effort made by the youth. All from top rank to low rank worked tirelessly to complete the works on time and perfectly. Holding CYF in MRICC adds further glory to the convention centre. Samarasingha described the MRICC as a reward from youth to youth. It has made the world to look at Hambantota district and the investment opportunities available in the district.

President Rajapaksa on stage of the main auditorium.

He said that Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Authority (LRDA) also extended fullest cooperation cleaning the land and setting up fence around the project area.

“Hambantota was the suitable place to construct the second international convention centre because it consists of all facilities including land. There is enough land to construct a giant structure and to provide other infrastructure facilities. The Mattala International Airport and the Hambantota International Harbour further encourage the development of Hambantota”, he said.

Urban Development Authority (UDA) was the main stakeholder of this project. Qualified local engineers were engaged in the construction work. UDA inaugurated this project and gave guidelines and instructions from time to time, Samarasingha said.

The youth professional made use of the opportunity to showcase their talents by constructing the MRICC. Namal Rajapaksa as a young Parliamentarian who represent Hambantota extended fullest cooperation in implementing and successfully completing the project, Samarasingha said.

He said that the main auditorium consists of 1,500 seats and major events can be held. There are 10 sub committee rooms, a ballroom and a business centre. Before the commencement of work a thorough study was conducted locally and internationally.“Before drafting plans and commencing works we visited several countries including India and Singapore to study the facilities which are available in the international convention centres and what kind of facilities should be further improved”, Samarasingha said.

A well developed road in Hambantota.

Magampura Ruhunu International Convention Centre (MRICC).

All sound equipment were imported from Germany. The latest sound system of JBL sound system has been fixed to the main auditorium and other important areas inside the convention centre, Samarasingha said.

He said that stage lighting stage light system was imported from USA. The MRICC consists of newest lighting system.“Security system, air condition and lighting system will be monitored from the control room. CCTV cameras have been fixed to ascertain the security of MRICC”, Samarasingha said.

He said that the facilities of MRICC will also be further upgraded. MRICC is not a local auditorium. All facilities have been developed according to international standards. It consists of all facilities which are compulsorily need to hold international events, Samarasingha said. There are three types of convention centres such as city convention centre where small events are held, city conference centres where small and medium level events are held in the city and finally international convention centres. Some convention centres that might have come in the outskirts of city. MRICC is also such kind of convention centre, he said.

"The development which have taken place will really be a boon to promote the tourism and improve the industrial sector. Car parkings, helipads. Nearly 2,000 cars can be parked simultaneously in the parking area of the MRICC.

"In Colombo or Galle such facility can't be provided. But as there is open areas in Hambantota all such facilities can be provided", he said.