Business
SLTDA issues clarification around securing US $ 417.5mn FDI to develop Uchchamunai island
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has issued a clarification following certain news reports consisting ‘misinformation and disinformation’ that Uchchamunai Island has been sold to foreign investors without following the due process.The Uchchamunai Island in question has NOT BEEN SOLD and a lease agreement was signed for a period of 30 years to a foreign investor in an attempt to drive much needed Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), SLTDA report said.
It further said:
For SLTDA the income is by way of lease rental. The lease rental is based on the value provided by Department of Government Valuation done in October 2020 on which the agreement was finalised. The stated 417.5 million USD is the project cost estimated by the investor for a tourism project that will be implemented in stages. The project can only commence when all necessary approvals from the line agencies including Coast Conservation, Environmental Authority etc. are in place.
As per the Tourism Act No 38 2005 SLTDA is mandated to lease out (not sell) SLTDA owned lands to potential investors to develop and operate tourism hotels and resorts in a planned and sustainable manner. The SLTDA as in the past has continued to do so, attracting both foreign and local investments, and has been held answerable to the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) of the Sri Lanka Parliament for any delays in signing of lease agreements for already approved projects.Regarding the Uchchamunai island in Kalpitiya, SLTDA in July 2019 called for potential investors via newspaper adverts in all three languages. Post evaluation and approval of the Project Proposal Evaluation Committee, it was approved by the Board of SLTDA in February 2020, which includes industry stakeholders and government representatives. In August 2020 the minister of tourism via the secretary ministry of tourism approved the signing of a lease agreement. The draft agreement for the lease in terms of the technicalities was finalized in October 2020 and the draft agreement finalised in December 2020. It was ready to be signed in March 2021.
However, due to the pandemic situation and internal affairs of the investor the agreement signing was delayed. In April 2022, the Board of Investments (BOI) provided the investor with an ultimatum to sign the lease agreement on or before 11th of May 2022, failing which would result in the withdrawal of the application. As a result, the investor requested to sign the lease agreement with SLTDA on the 9th or 10th of May 2022. However, owing to the unfortunate incidents that occurred on the 9th and 10th of May 2022 in Sri Lanka and given BOI’s original request, the SLTDA management arranged signing of the lease agreement for 30-year lease as per land alienation policy on 11th of May 2022.
SLTDA also wishes to clarify that despite popular opinion, the SLTDA nor the government of Sri Lanka or any related stakeholder obtains 417.5 USD Million as a result of this transaction. The agreement was purely to lease out land for 30 years with ultimate ownership remaining with SLTDA.For SLTDA, as reiterated before, the mode of income is by lease rental where monthly the investor will pay a fixed fee of a rental for the period of 30 years which is based on the valuation done by the Department of Government valuation in the year 2020. The total cost of USD 417.5 million simply represents the total commercial value of the investment made by the said investor.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
