Lotus Tower Colombo -a lone sentinel:

To be or not to be?

By Sureshni Pilapitiya

Construction of the Lotus Tower along D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha which was expected to be a landmark building and also the tallest in South Asia will continue according to plan. It is expected to be a telecommunication and tourism- based project .

The Tower from afar. Pix: Vipula Amarasinghe

However, necessary steps have been taken to cut down costs and continue with the project.

The former government began construction work with Chinese aid, funded by EXIM Bank of China. Construction was scheduled to be completed in early 2015 at a cost of 104 million dDollars.

Tower includes a multi-national telecommunications tower and entertainment centre occupying an area of three acres on the Beira Lake water front.

Telecommunications

The tower mast will consist of TV, FM, and other telecommunication antennas.

It was under the Telecom T.A Gunathillake, Secretary, National Postal Services and Telecommunication Workers Union, affiliated to Sri Lanka Telecom, confirmed that the construction work is being carried out as usual and there was no delay in the process. The project is in collaboration with the Urban Development Authority.

When asked whether the project was a worthwhile project, he said that it was being constructed to give a new dimension to the telecommunication industry and to promote tourism where high- end restaurants are expected to open. He said it will boost the telecommunication industry.

In sharp contrast to the earlier regime's desire to run casinos and entertainment spots, the Government will use the project to increase the economy, he said.

The Lotus Tower under construction

The estimated cost of the project could not be assessed at the moment and that it was difficult to say anything about the value since the MoU's between the parties had been signed during the former regime.

Investigation

The same staff comprising Chinese nationals, including engineers and minor staff will continue as before. When asked if an investigation will be initiated of how the project was carried out during the previous regime, he replied in the negative.He said that this project will be good for the country to develop the economy.

They will continue with the project but depends on the decisions taken by the higher authorities. He said continuing with the project will strengthen the telecommunications industry.

Earlier it was discussed that the tower should be built in Peliyagoda and later shifted to D . R Wijewardene Mawatha. The foundation stone was laid by former Minister of Economic Affairs, Basil Rajapaksa.

M. M Zuhair, Director General of TRCSL said no decision was taken on the matter. It depends on future decisions made by the relevant authorities, he said.

The matter whether to proceed or not was under discussion. He was unable to comment further. Dharmasiri De Alwis, engineer and project manager of the Lotus Tower construction site said they had apprised the authorities of the present status of the project.