Ippantivu and Velli Islands Leased under Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Resort Project (KITRP) for Five Star Resorts

30th December 2010, www.dailynews.lk, By Harshini Perera

Two islands namely Ippantivu and Velli were leased under the Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Resort Project (KITRP) recently for which investment was mainly from foreign investors.

Cube Lanka Leisure and Sun Resort are the two interested companies who bought these islands in Kalpitiya, Kalpitiya Tourism Resort Project, Project Director Saman Navaratne told Daily News Business.

Cube Lanka Leisure, will set up a five star hotel with 200 villas. The investment will be Rs 1.7 billion which is financed by an Indian company. The villas will generate 600 direct and 1200 indirect employment opportunities.

“Sun Resort (Pvt) Ltd is an investment of Rs 1.2 billion made by a Maldives and Switzerland party. This will be a five star resort set up with 150 beach villas which will provide 450 direct employment opportunities. There is a possibility of them to set up a underwater structures in the future. The construction period for the Sun Resort will be 30 months,” Navaratne said.

“KITRP will altogether create 5,000 rooms after leasing out 14 islands in the Kalpitiya area and 17 islands in the Puttalam side by keeping Kalpitiya a tourist destination. It will attract one million tourists a year after the project completion. We need to acquire 14 more islands in the future,” he said.

The Palavi Airport that has been functioning as a military airport will be renovated and it will contribute to the improvement of tourism in Kalpitiya area acting as a domestic airport.

It is expected to generate 15,000 direct and 30,000 indirect employment opportunities. Under the KITRP, fishing jetties will be constructed since the project will enhance the living condition of the community as an integrated tourism project.

KITRP called for proposals in August and have already received 12 project proposals. The proposals were mainly from foreign parties and KITRP has sent them for Cabinet approval.

Within the zone a golf course, a race course, a tourism training school, foreign language teaching school, ayurvedic centers and hospitals will be constructed.

“We encourage investors to allocate five percent of a project cost to the benefit of the community.

We need to create leisure space just like Galle Face for local tourists and we have set up domestic and pilgrim resorts in Anavasal with a capacity for 100 visitors,” Navaratne said.

Image: The site of Thoreadya Jetty which is identified as one of the main entry gateway points to the 14 islands of first stage bidding process.

Related Info:
Kalpitiya Development Project - Sri Lanka Tourism

Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Development Project - Conceptual Master Plan (Updated November 2010)

Sri Lanka Gets $500mn Tourism Proposals for Ten Kalpitiya Islets off North Western Coast

Kalpitiya Stage II - Bidding Starts on Integrated Tourism Resort Project in Western Sri Lanka

February 2010, www.sltda.gov.lk

Six picturesque islands located in the tranquil waters of Dutch Bay, which are vested by the Government, have been included for Stage II - Lease Bidding of the Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Resort Project.

The objective of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority in developing Kalpitiya is to “Create a unique, branded international green resort for up – market tourism, which would be a bench mark project in the Region.“

The islands, vested by the Government, are Periya Arachchalai, Sinna Arachchalai, Sinna Erumutivu, Erumutivu West, Erumutivu and Kakativu. Each contains diverse sceneries ranging from mangroves, thick scrub jungle vegetation, beach strips, open grass lands, and mud flats. Hidden attractions can be found within each island with their own distinct and sensitive eco systems. The water holes, surrounded by mangrove vegetation, create a haven for bird life and fauna. Rich varieties of marine life live in the surrounding waters, further enhancing the bio diversity.

These islands were selected for the high potential of eco - tourism products they can offer. The varying extents of the islands, Erumutivu the largest and Sinna Erumutivu the smallest, will also emphasize their unique qualities.

The extent of the Resorts envisioned on each island and the anticipated room capacity (total of 635 rooms) are as follows:

Periya Arachchalai 42.50 ha – 120 rooms, Sinna Arachchalai 16.26 ha – 50 rooms, Erumutivu West 4.25 ha – 25 rooms, Sinna Erumutivu 2.11ha - 15 rooms, Erumutivu 100.045ha – 300 rooms, Kakativu 27.15ha – 125 rooms.

All six islands are easily accessible by boat, with a time span of about 20 minutes from the Kalpitiya main land. Sinna Erumutivu, Erumutivu West, Erumutivu and Kaktivu are located in close proximity to the Kalpitiya mainland and Anivasal area, while Periya Arachalai and Sinna Arachahala are located further north and also accessible from Kirimundal area.

Investors are invited to construct and operate resorts and tourism products of different magnitudes with auxiliary facilities, appropriate for the size and features of the individual island, as indicated in the conceptual master plan prepared by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

Kalpitiya Tourist Development Offers High Yield Tourist Attraction in Kalpitiya Integrated Resort Development Project (KITRP)

03 November 2009, www.news.lk

The Kalpitiya Integrated Resort Development Project (KITRP) is the biggest tourism development project and offers investors an ideal opportunity to invest in a high yield tourist attraction.

Prospective investors have already expressed their desire to venture into this project of a massive scale.

The project’s first development stage is currently underway. Of the many islands located in the area, tenders for specific blocks of land in five of the prime islands KITRP are on offer. These lands are offered on a long-term lease. Many local and foreign industry giants have expressed their interest and have already submitted their bids.

For more info on Kalpitiya Integrated Development Project.