Five years of development - Puttalam district:

Kalpitiya drive to rake in billions

by Jayampathy Jayasinghe

Puttalam, a sleepy coastal fishing town located on the west coast is known for its picturesque lagoons, has emerged now as one of the important towns in the district following the gigantic projects launched by the government.

Chief among them are the Norochcholai coal power project and the Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Resort Project (KITRP) estimated to cost around US Dollars 4 billion. It is one of the biggest tourist projects undertaken by the Government to promote tourism in the country. Luxury villas are to be built in the fourteen virgin islands in Kalpitiya region.

The Tourist Development Authority’s (TDA) Project Director, Saman Navaratne said foreign investment was invited following the Cabinet paper submitted in 2005 to set up-luxury type villas in the township of kalpitiya and in the adjacent 14 islands covering an area of 4,000-5,000 hectares.

A survey is being carried out in some areas to appraise the suitability of land to set up villas. According to the Project Director, the project proposal referred to them was to build 5,000 hotel rooms with the least damage caused to the environment. High-rise buildings of any type will not be permitted in the area, “ he said.

More than 100 hectares of land in Kalpitiya have been vested in the Kalpitiya integrated Tourism Resort project which will consist of Ayurveda Spas, recreational centres, a helipad etc. The helipad will facilitate airlifting tourists from other parts of the country. “Another important aspect is that the natives of Bathalangunduwa and fishermen who live in the adjacent areas will not be displaced.

The natives to be integrated, will be the stakeholders of the hotel project,” Project director Navaratne said. Meanwhile, the Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Project is expected to rake in four billion US dollars from the potential investors.

Another tourist attraction will be the sighting of Whales and Dolphins in the seas around Kalpitiya and the indigenous mangroves found in abundance. Twenty-three varieties of indigenous mangroves that protect the beach are also the food for the fish found aplenty in the sea.

The area is also a resting place for seventy-five varieties of migratory birds on their way to Anawilundawa bird sanctuary in Wilpattu. There are 500 fishing families who live in Bathalangunduwa. The oldest Dutch church in the country is found in the Nochimuni.

Project Director, Navaratne, said the Kalpitiya will be marketed as a tourist destination well known for its beach, recreational activities, diving, water sports, and for wildlife tourism as well. The biggest coral reef stretching up to 30 kilometres is also found in Kalpitiya.

Although the areas bordering the Wilpattu wildlife sanctuary were not accessible previously due to terrorist activities, the Wilpattu wild life sanctuary has now been re-opened to the public. The Tourism Development Authority has also decided to draft a bio-diversity plan to protect the environment.

The KITRP has selected two investors for Wellai and Ibnathiev islands to set up villas there.

A Swiss, a Singaporean and an Indian investor will invest around US Dollars 1.75 billion to set up five star villas in the two islands. They have agreed to provide a financial package of Rs. 100 million to uplift the living standards of the natives in the Bathalangunduwa and Nochimuni areas. A consolidated fund will be set up shortly to disburse these funds.

In view of the scarcity of water and power a desalination plant and a solar power plant will be set up in the villa complex, the project director said.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) will evaluate tenders called for the Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Resort Project (KITRP) shortly.

The project expected to be completed in three years will generate direct employment to 15,000-20,000 and indirect employment to 50,000 persons.

Last week President Mahinda Rajapaksa inaugurated stage 2 of the Norochcholai project that will add 600MW to the national grid by 2012. The completed phase one of the project will add 300 MW by November.

The CEB will provide electricity to every household by 2012 when the project is completed. The Norochcholai coal power plant would help Sri Lanka reduce its dependence on the most expensive power plants on its system. Power and Energy, Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne said the Norochcholai coal power plant will play a pivotal role in realizing the government’s aim of making Sri Lanka an energy hub of Asia.

The government has so far succeeded in adding more than 600 MWs to the national grid. It will add 1,000 MW more to the national grid by 2012.

Public Estate Management & Development Minister Milroy Fernando said the government has launched two major projects such as the Norochcholai coal power plant and the Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Resort Project to uplift the living standards of people in the country.

He said the Chilaw’s Fishing Harbour has been completed and the Puttalam -Anuradhapura road is being developed to facilitate transportation.

The Puttalam-Mannar, Wilpattu-Madu and Colombo-Mannar roads will also be developed shortly.

Steps are being taken to re-start the tile and brick industry to generate more employment in the area.

The Minister said profits and bonuses have been paid to all workers following the acquisition of the Chilaw Planation company.