Colombo City Centre to be Developed into a Pedestrian Only Area for Tourist Attraction

05th December 2010, www.thebottomline.lk,, By Indika Sakalasooriya

The historic Colombo City Centre, which had long been a ‘no entry region’ since it was located in a high security zone in the Fort area, is to be developed into a bustling tourist attraction, dotted with restaurants, luxury hotels and other recreational centers, a top government official said.

Defence Secretary and Urban Development Authority Chairman Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said at a recent function that the Colombo Fort area is to be rationalised under the Colombo City Development Prgramme.

“The City Centre will be developed into a ‘pedestrian only area’ and number of restaurants and several luxury hotels are to be built up,” he said.

Rajapaksa also said that a proposal to build a luxury hotel between the momentous Cargills building — which is considered Sri Lanka’s Harrods building — and the colonial Grand Oriental Hotel which is currently undergoing a complete revamp, was also being mooted.

According to sources in the local corporate scene, three companies have already submitted proposals for this project and premier blue chip John Keells Holding and diversified blue chip Hayleys are believed to be among them.

A foreign party with a Sri Lankan collaboration is believed to be the third contender for the project apart from the two local players, of which the details are not yet available.

Earlier Cargills also had expressed plans to develop the landmark Cargills building, the first super market in Sri Lanka, then Ceylon, into a building like Harrods in Central London.

As a part of the Colombo City Centre development project, a number of offices, both private and government sector, are now in the process of shifting.

It is also learnt that Cargills is probably the only privately owned property in the City Centre area and as a result the development process is expected to go smoothly with less resistance.

Related Info:
Sri Lanka’s Security Forces to Move out of Colombo to Make Way for Colombo City Development. Hotel, Casino, Apartment Complexes Earmarked

Cargills Building in Fort to be Made into a Harrods of Sri Lanka