Sri Lankan Venture Capital Firm Invests in Wind Power. 10MW Wind Power Plant to be Set up in Kalpitiya Peninsula

28th March 2011, www.lankabusinessonline.com

Sri Lankan venture capital Lanka Ventures said it will invest 384 million rupees through a subsidiary to set up a wind power plant on the island's north-west coast.

A stock exchange filing said LVL Energy Fund (LEF), a fully-owned subsidiary of Lanka Ventures, has signed a deal with LTL Holdings to set up a 10MW wind power generation plant in the Kalpitiya peninsula.

LEF will invest 384 million rupees for an equity stake of 40 percent in the project company named Pawan Danavi, it said.

Related Info :

• Sri Lanka Non Conventional Renewable Energy Contribution to the National Grid was 6.8pct in 2010 with New Projects

• High Potential for Wind Power in Sri Lanka. Five New Plants to be Built. 300MW of Power to be Added

Citrus Leisure Raises Finances for Two Hotel Projects in Kalpitiya and Waskaduwa

22nd February 2011, www.news360.lk

Two newly formed subsidiaries of Citrus Leisure PLC have raised a combined sum of Rs. 923.5 million via two private placements to build separate hotel projects in Kalpitiya and Waskaduwa.
Accordingly the Waskaduwa Beach Resort Limited, an arm of the Citrus Leisure has raised Rs. 520 million by issuing 52 million shares at Rs. 10 each.

While Kalpitiya Beach Resort Limited which also comes under Citrus Leisure, has raised Rs. 403.5 million by issuing 40.35 million shares.

The Company officials said the raising of money via two private placements concluded during last week.

Citrus Leisure PLC has invested a total sum of Rs. 1926.5 million in both the Waskaduwa Beach Resort Limited and Kalpitiya Beach Resort Limited and has the controlling stakes of both entities.

Citrus announced subsequently, Waskaduwa Beach Resort Limited and Kalpitiya Beach Resort Limited will also apply for a listing in the Colombo Stock Exchange.

Related Info :

• Citrus Leisure, Formerly Hotel Reefcomber, to Build a 4 Star Resort in Kalpitiya. 150 Rooms and 28 Water Front Villas

Land for Lease in North & East Sri Lanka for Rs20mn an Acre for Tourism Development

07th February 2011, www.island.lk, By Mario Andree

The government is planning to lease out land at Rs. 20 million an acre on a 99 year lease in the North and East for tourism development, and investors would be served on a first-come-first-served basis as long as they can afford it.
Sri Lanka will lease 500 acres of land in the North East coast to potential investors in order to develop tourism infrastructure, a tourism official said.

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Dr. Nalaka Godahewa told The Island Financial Review that the Cabinet had granted approval to sell land in the North and East under a 99 year lease agreement at Rs. 20 million an acre.

A stretch of land in Kuchchaveli, North West off Trincomalee has been identified for this purpose.

He said the land would be leased out on a first come first served basis after one-on-one interviews with the Treasury. "Who ever applies and can afford to pay for it, will be leased the land."

Denying recent reports in the press, Dr. Godahewa said the Kalpitiya island resorts project, which attracted 11 bidders, was going ahead. He said the bidders had been shortlisted to six and was handed over to the Cabinet-approved procurement committee for evaluation. "The results are still pending," he said.

However he said most likely Kalpitiya would also follow the same pattern of Kuchchaveli to develop tourism infrastructure.

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

• 60 Investors to Build Hotels in Trinco in the Newly Proposed 8-kilometre Tourism Zone on the Kuchchaveli coast, Trinco, Sri Lanka

Six Senses Pulls Out of Dutch Bay Resort in Kalpitiya. Goes Ahead with Aitken Spence on a Project near Galle, Sri Lanka

07th February 2011, www.lankabusinessonline.com

International luxury hotel chain Six Senses has pulled out of a deal to manage a resort being built on an islet off Sri Lanka's north-west coast, according to company officials.

The Dutch Bay Resort project, in Dutch Bay in Kalpitiya, was to have been a joint venture between Six Senses and Swarna Dweep, an investment vehicle set up by European investors and a Sri Lankan entrepreneur.

But Six Senses chief executive Sonu Shivdasani told hoteliermiddleeast.com that the 80-unit resort announced last year for Dutch Bay has been put on hold along with another project in Jordan.

He gave no details but officials with knowledge of the project say Six Senses has pulled out of the management deal.

There has been no word from Swarna Dweep or Sri Lankan tourism authorities about the deal.

The Dutch Bay project was estimated to cost 75 million dollars and consist of 60 mangrove chalets – two-storey villas with plunge pools – and 20 luxury villas on a lagoon.

The Six Senses decision was part of a revamp by the hotel chain in which it plans to establish up to 10 hotel clusters around the world, with between five and 10 resorts in each cluster with the aim of sharing best operational practices and staff.

But Shivdasani said that, as part of the south Asian cluster, Six Senses management was also looking at a resort on the Andaman Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean.

Shivdasani said another project with Sri Lanka's Aitken Spence group was going ahead near the southern town of Galle with accommodation in tents.

Related Info :
• Thai Six Senses Spas makes Sri Lanka a Regional Hub to Manage Leisure Assets in Indian Ocean

• Sixth Senses CEO Visits Sri Lanka on Joint Venture with Aitken Spence to Construct Upmarket Resort

• 6 Star Resort in Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka, Managed by Six Senses Chain. Swarna Dweep to Raise Funds through a Private Placement

Citrus Leisure, Formerly Hotel Reefcomber, to Build a 4 Star Resort in Kalpitiya. 150 Rooms and 28 Water Front Villas

02nd January 2011, www.sundayobserver.lk

Citrus Leisure PLC, formerly Hotel Reefcomber PLC, has marked its name change with an announcement to build a four star resort in Kalpitiya following the acquisition of a 78 acre land, "Santhoduwa-Kalpitiya". The total investment in the land amounted to Rs. 122.18 million. The acquisition is the company's second, following a change in management earlier this year.

The proposed resort will comprise 150 rooms and 28 water front villas. The 28 water front villas will be built facing a 50 meter-wide waterway which cuts through the land and connects at the end to the sea.

These exclusive water villas will have individual gondolas providing the occupants access to the sea. In a unique proposition, the villas will be made available to local and foreign high net worth individuals on the basis of a 99-year lease. Citrus Leisure will operate the villas as part of the hotel with the concurrence of their owners, managing and marketing them accordingly.

The "Santhoduwa-Kalpitiya" site is ideally placed in close proximity to the whale- and dolphin-watching sites in the seas off Kalpitiya and the magnificent Wilpattu national park, home to the elephant and the elusive Ceylon leopard. The company believes the proposed resort will cater to the growing demand for suitable star class accommodation along the North West coast of Sri Lanka.

Chairman of Citrus Leisure PLC, tourism-veteran Prema Cooray said, "Our decision to enter Kalpitiya is a strategic one that considers the area's vast untapped potential to become a tourist hotspot. Kalpitiya is one of the zones being targeted in the government's new vision for tourism and Citrus Leisure PLC is excited to be a flagbearer in the emergence of Destination Kalpitiya."

Renowned architect Murad Ismail has come on board to design the resort, bringing with him his extensive experience in designing world-class properties, including the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel in the Maldives.

The purchase of the "Santhoduwa-Kalpitiya" land is the company's second major acquisition following its purchase of a 7.2 acre beach property in Waskaduwa, where construction will begin in early 2011 on a 150 roomed 4-star property.

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

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

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

12th Decemeber 2010, www.lankabusinessonline.com, By Jayantha Kovilagodage

Eleven leisure firms have submitted proposals worth 500 million US dollars to build hotels and other leisure facilities in 10 islets off Sri Lanka's North Western coast, an official said.

Chairman of Sri Lanka's tourism development authority Nalaka Godahewa said the bids closed on December 03 and successful parties will be notified next January.

The islands off the coast of Kalpitiya will be given on 30 to 50 year leases, and investors could engage in 40 approved areas including building, hotels, golf course and boat services, he said.

Among the bidders are top international chains, Godahewa said, without elaborating.

The tourism authority has planned a development in the area which is now gaining fame for whale and dolphin watching and diving. New hotels in the area could add 5,000 rooms to the country's existing 15,000 rooms according to published plans.

The industry estimates that 40,000 rooms would be needed by 2016 when 2.5 million tourists a year are expected.

On December 10 Sri Lanka greeted the 600,000 visitor and Godahewa said Sri Lanka will end the year with around 620,000 visitors. Last year Sri Lanka received 391,028 visitors.

Some of the largest islands are used by migrant fishermen engaging in seasonal fishing activity.

Godahewa said investors would be expected to spend about 5 percent of their project cost in upgrading infrastructure and facilities for fishermen.

Related Info:
Kalpitiya Development Project - Sri Lanka Tourism

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

Sri Lanka Presentations - Tourism Zones & Developments

Sri Lanka Landscapes with Unsurpassed Beauty











Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Resort Project (KITRP)













Masterplan for Tourism Development of Kuchchaweli Area - The Longest Coatal Belt of Trincomalee












Masterplan for The New Passekudha Tourist Development Area













See Also:
• Why You Should Consider Investing in Sri Lankan Tourism Industry
• Sri Lanka Presentations - Tourism Related Developments

Four Wind Power Plants Add 33MW to Sri Lankan National Grid

25th August 2010, www.dailynews.lk, By Indunil Hewage

Hayleys Group and WindForce (Pvt) Ltd are currently building a 10 megawatt wind power plant at Nirmalapura at Kalpitiya in the Puttalam district with a total investment of Rs 2.3 billion.

The new plant will be known as Nirmalapura Wind Power Ltd. WindForce is a company owned by Seguwantivu Wind Power and Vidatamunai Wind Power.

Seguwantivu Wind Power and Vidatamunai Wind Power Chief Executive Officer Manjula Perera said construction work of the plant is scheduled to be completed by April next year. The farm of wind turbine generators will have seven turbines when completed with each turbine producing 1.5 megawatts of power, generating electricity making use of the strong gust of winds from the Indian Ocean.

Currently a three megawatt windpower plant has been built by the Government in Hambantota. Three other wind power plants are being operated in the country. These are the ten megawatt Seguwantivu Wind Power, Ten megawatt Vidatamunai Wind Power and ten megawatt Senok Wind Power. Currently, 33 megawatts are being added to the national power grid by these four wind plants.

Two more plants, the ten megawatt Nirmalapura Wind Power and ten megawatt PowerGen Lanka plant are under construction.

Construction work of ten megawatt Lanka Transformers and 35 megawatt K L S Energy Lanka have not commenced yet.

So far, licences have been issued to generate over 90 megawatts of electricity using wind power by the Ceylon Electricity Board. There is potential to generate at least 500 megawatts within the next three years using wind power in the country.

Related Info:
Sustainable Energy Authority - Winnd Projects
India Invests $ 18.2mn in Sri Lanka Wind Power Project
Two Wind Power Plants in Puttalam, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's Kalpitiya gets 2 Hotels at Rs 3.2bn in Vellai and Ippanthivu Islands

13th August 2010, www.dailynews.lk, By Chaminda Perera

In a move to cater to the booming tourist industry following the end to terrorism in the country, two investors have come forward to invest Rs 3,200 million in two star class hotels in the Kalpitiya Tourist Zone.

These hotels will be established in Vellai and Ippanthivu islands in the Kalpitiya Tourist Zone. These projects are expected to generate more than 1,200 employment opportunities.

The Government leased out the Vellai island where one of the hotels is to be constructed. Tourist Board Chairman Nalaka Godahewa and Sun Lanka Resort Chairman Mohammed Sham signed the lease agreement in the presence of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

The construction of this hotel consisting of 150 rooms would be completed within three years. The hotel to be constructed in the Ippanthivu island in Kalpitiya will consist of 300 rooms and it is an investment of Rs 1,700m.

Related Info:
Kalpitiya Interactive Map with Survey Maps of Dutch Bay and Portugal Bay Islands

Kalpitiya Tourism Development Project (SLTDA)

Kalpitiya Photo Gallery (SLTDA)

Presentation kalpitiya

View more presentations from BOISriLanka.

Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka Gets Foreign Investment for 2 Resorts. 450 Five Star Rooms Spread over 200 Acres

09th July 2010, www.lankabusinessonline.com

Sri Lanka has approved two resorts by foreign investors in a new tourism development area in Kalpitiya on the north-west coast that opened up for investment with the end of a war, a tourism official said. Tissa Sooriyagoda, project director at the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, said a total of 5,000 acres are available for development at Kalpitiya.

"In the first phase we've selected two international companies to build 450 five-star rooms spread over 200 acres,' he told LBO.

Qube Lanka Leisure, owned by an Indian firm, will 200 beach villas with an investment of 16.8 million US dollars while Sun Resorts, a Maldivian firm, will build 150 water bungalows at a cost of 1.2 billion rupees.

"The resorts will be built as 'green resorts' with buildings designed for sustainable water use and conservation, and using renewable energy like wind and solar power," Sooriyagoda said.

Tourism is booming in the island after a 30-year ethnic war ended in May 2009 which immediately led to a sharp increase in the number of tourists.

Related Info:
Kalpitiya Interactive Map with Survey Maps of Dutch Bay and Portugal Bay Islands

Kalpitiya Development Project

6 Star Resort in Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka, Managed by Six Senses Chain.

Presentation kalpitiya

View more presentations from BOISriLanka.

6 Star Resort in Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka, Managed by Six Senses Chain. Swarna Dweep to Raise Funds through a Private Placement

10th September 2009, www.lankabusinessonline.com

Developers of a luxury island resort managed by the Six Senses chain in Sri Lanka who have set up an investment fund will seek to raise further cash through a private share offering, an official said.

Neil De Silva, chairman of Dutch Bay Resorts which is to build the resort in north-western Kalpitiya, said investors can get returns from the first phase resort project as well as sale of luxury villas to wealthy clients in the second phase.

The resort project has been given a 15-year tax holiday from the Board of Investment and other incentives usually given to big projects by the investment promotion agency.

The six-star Dutch Bay Resort project, to be ready by 2011, is a joint venture between Six Senses and Swarna Dweep, an investment vehicle.

Swarna Dweep, set up by European investors and De Silva, a Sri Lankan entrepreneur, currently operating in Europe and the Middle East, has a 51 percent stake in Dutch Bay Resorts.

“Sri Lanka has been a missed opportunity,” De Silva said. “Now, with the war over, we’d like to better use this opportunity and bring in foreign friends and Sri Lankans overseas for equity investments.”

The island’s tourism sector is expected to boom with the end of the 30-year ethnic war in May when government forces defeated the Tamil Tiger rebels.

De Silva said he and his partners have already invested 36 million dollars in the project and seek to raise more funds through a private placement with other luxury property developments also planned.

“We will initially offer to friends and families and later call for public offers,” De Silva said.

“For Sri Lankan investors, the subscription amount is a minimum of 5,000 dollars.”

Investors can repatriate earnings which are tax free.

The investment, which will be locked in for a seven year construction and take-off period, is expected to generate a rate of return of 20-27 percent a year, de Silva said.

Earnings will be from operation of the Six Senes resort as well as sale of luxury villas.

The first phase of the project in Dutch Bay, off the north-west coast, will cost 75 million dollars and consists of 60 mangrove chalets – two-storey villas with plunge pools – and 20 luxury villas on the lagoon.

The second phase of the project, costing 100 million dollars, will consist of 80 villas, meant to be sold as luxury holiday or retirement homes to wealthy Arabs, Europeans and Sri Lankans.

Owners can lease them back to the developers.

“We can generate a high rate of return because we intend selling 80 homes, each with an acre of land, to the high-end market,” de Silva told LBO.

At current prices the villas are worth 2.4 to 2.7 million US dollars but prices are expected to rise when the resort starts operating.

The 9,000 square foot villas can also be rented for not less than 1,000 dollars a night.

Swarna Dweep is a Sri Lankan company established by Norwich International Consultants, a real estate business operating in the Kingdom of Bahrain since 1997.

According to its website, Swarna Dweep has been established to focus on development of tourism, real estate and transportation projects.

Kalpitiya - Related Links:

Tourism Development Project Kalpitiya from www.sltda.lk on Vimeo.

- Kalpitiya Integrated Resort Development Project (KITRP)

- Kalpitiya Interactive Map with Survey Maps of Dutch Bay and Portugal Bay Islands

- Kalpitiya Integrated Resort Development Project (KITRP) - Investment Opportunities

- Conceptual Development Plan - Kalpitiya Tourism Development Area (Ipantivu, Eranamutivu, Kakativu, Vellai I and Vellai ii)

- Strategic Environment Assessment Report - Kalpitiya Tourism Development Area

- Bar Reef - Wikipedia

- Dive the Bar Reef

Sri Lanka Showcases Kalpitiya Tourism Project. Sites Selected for Platforms in Lahugala and Kumana to view Elephants and Birds

04th May 2010, www.island.lk, By Mario Andree

Tourism is gaining at a rapid pace and the recent past has seen some positive indicators for the boost which Sri Lanka hopes to achieve by 2016.

In order to showcase another beautiful Sri Lankan spot, as well as increase room capacity, it is necessary to expedite the development of the Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Resort Project (KITRP) at the Dutch Bay Islands, an official said. Therefore, six investors in Kalpitiya have been requested to set up two hoardings on their lands in Kalpitya, which will display the layout of their hotel as per their concept, according to Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

They will also construct an abstract model of an accommodation unit (guest room/villa/chalet) to scale, using the materials anticipated for the construction of their hotel.

This presentation will showcase the new designs and concepts being developed by Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, as well as help monitor the quality of workmanship and standards being followed prior to the final approval of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority for construction, SLTDA data showed.

These model units will be constructed before the end of this year with the investments from; Heritage Reserves (Pvt) Ltd, Dutch Bay Resorts, West Agro Property Developers (Pvt) Ltd, Palm Lanka Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, M. S. A Sham Saudeen Development & Reality (Pvt) Ltd and Alpha Tours (Pvt) Ltd, data showed.

Also, the SLTDA said many resorts in the Eastern province are well in progress and construction of the washrooms and changing rooms in the Passikudah Resort commenced last month and will be completed in August.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for the Resort was published for public comments until April 15. Upon approval of the EIA Report by the CCD, work of the resort will begin. Approval has been granted by the CCD for a pilot hotel project consisting of 40 chalets.

The Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the development of Kuchchavelli is being carried out.

Investors for the development of 48 hotels sites have been selected; the land will be allotted accordingly. Around 150 acres will be developed as a championship golf course.

The Project Implementation Unit for the East Coast Action Plan identified sites for the following development projects,

= Observation platform to view elephants at Lahugala

= Observation platform to view birds at Kumana

SLTDA also awarded star ratings to nine hotels this year during the period of January 1 to April 30.

Four hotels received 1-star category under the programme; they were Full Moon Green Hotel Seeduwa which has 30 rooms, Kandyan Reach Hotel Kurunegala with 23 rooms, Randiya Hotel Moratuwa with 10 rooms and Emarald Bay Induruwa with 50 rooms in the capacity.

Also three hotels were awarded two stars which are Yapahuwa Paradise Yapahuwa with 20 rooms, Browns Beach Hotel Negombo with 140 rooms, Induruwa Beach Induruwa with 90 rooms in their capacity.

The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya and Hilton Residencies Colombo were awarded four stars.

Related Info :
• Sri Lanka Presentations - Tourism Related Developments

Senok Opens Sri Lanka's First Commercial Wind Energy Plant in Kalpitiya

21st March 2010, www.sundaytimes.lk, By Bandula Sirimanna

Sri Lanka next week begins harnessing winds blowing on the west coast at high speeds, 50 meters above ground level as an energy source to generate electricity at a newly constructed wind power park in the Mampuri area off Kalpitiya in the Puttalam district.

Senok Wind Power, Sri Lanka's first commercial wind energy plant, will be officially commissioned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa tomorrow but connecting of the 10 MW plant to the national grid will be delayed at least till the end of April as the power transmission related work is yet to be completed. Total investment of the project is around Rs.3 billion.

“Wind energy is good and clean but you have to be cautious when connecting it to the national grid,” said Tilak Siyambalapitiya, Director Resource Management Associates (Pvt) Ltd, consultant of the project speaking to Business Times, at the 5 square-km, beach site.

He was on his way to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony of the second phase of the Norochcholai power power project (which is nearby) on Thursday under the patronage of the president.

He said the capital investment for wind power is high, but it is a green energy and will not affect the environment. Once it is operational, in the long run it will be able to sell a unit of electricity at a low price, he said.

Senok Trade Combine Ltd, Promotions and Plantations Director Harin Philip De Costa, said the company signed a Small Power Purchase Agreement (SPPA) with the Ceylon Electricity Board in December 2008 to supply power where they would receive around Rs 20 per unit of power in the first eight years and 50% of that, after eight years.

Though wind power is costly to consumers because the capital investment is high, the cost nevertheless will remain constant for 20 years unlike other current energy like fuel or thermal power which can vary, he said.

Mr De Costa said the company has a close relationship with the residents of Mampuri and other nearby villages and plans are underway to undertake several projects such as the development of pre-schools, construction of a maternity clinic and a play ground.

S. Kumaralingam, an Indian engineer, attached to Suzlon infrastructure Services Ltd handling the installation of wind mills, said that the setting up of five units of Suzlon's S64 1.25MW wind turbines supplied by Suzlon Energy company of India has been completed. Fifty Indian workers deployed by the company are working at the site. He said that the Indian government is providing a subsidy of one third of the capital cost and that is why many private investors are launching wind power projects in India.

Amila Perera, a civil engineer attached to Senok, told the Business Times that 20 Sri Lankans are working at the site and they have completed all civil engineering work including the construction of the access road network, casting of turbine foundations and other infrastructure facilities. However he added that three locations are yet to be completed.

The windpower development programme, facilitated by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), is part of the National Energy Policy and Strategy of the government and is a significant contributor to the diversity of energy resources used in power generation.

Related Info:
Sri Lanka's First Wind Power Park to be Opened by Senok at Kalpitiya in the Puttalam District

Sustainable Energy Authority - Wind Projects

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.

Sri Lanka's First Wind Power Park to be Opened by Senok at Kalpitiya in the Puttalam District

18th March 2010, www.dailynews.lk, By Charumini De Silva

Sri Lanka has harnessed the full potential of hydro power and needs to focus on wind as an alternate source of renewable energy.
There are many wind sites in the North and North Eastern parts of Sri Lanka that could be developed for wind power generation. The national grid is able to take in 10 percent of its energy from renewable energy, Senok Group Financial Director, Pancherine Dias told Daily News Business.

Senok is the first commercial wind power park to be opened next week. It is located in the southern part of Kalpitiya in the Puttalam district.

The total investment of the project is US$21 million. Senok has invested 55 percent of this. The World Bank has funded the rest.

The total capacity of the project is 30 megawatts. It is projected to be completed in three phases.

Each phase will supply 10 megawatts to the national grid. Senok was involved in developing wind energy in Sri Lanka for the last 10 years. The company came up with the idea of setting up the wind power park due to a corporate objective of diversification.

“There is much scope to develop 500 megawatts in the next five years in Sri Lanka. Within the next five to six years wind energy will be a sustainable industry in the country.

The country is heading towards a new era. It is timely for the country to explore sources of alternative energy as it is a vital theme for the entire world,” Dias said.

The wind plant is equipped with eight wind turbine generators. It has created jobs for around 40 employees. Wind power is a cost effective and environmental friendly source of energy.

Although the capital investment is high the running cost is much less compared to hydropower generation. Wind power generation is also an environmental friendly source of energy as it is considered as a clear source of energy which is cost free.

Senok Resource Management Associates Director Sunith Fernando said they need more technical expertise and assistance from countries such as Denmark and India.

The country also needs concessionary funds and concessionary taxes for these types of projects, as capital investment is comparatively high.

“It is important that the country has taken a timely decision in adapting to novel alternative energies. It is a key topic in the country in seeking cost effective and environmental friendly energy sources,” Fernando said.

Senok Project Consultant O. J. S. Perera said wind is a natural source and it is limited for a certain season. The company has studied and calculated the strength of the wind in different seasons.

“Southwesterly winds are much stronger than the northeasterly winds,” Perera said.

“However, in terms of the wind resource potential, the mean annual wind speed in the area varies from 7.0 - 7.5 m/s at 50m above ground level. Therefore, this wind power park will provide high and low power according to the strength of the winds,” he said.

Senok expects to commence phase two construction by the end this year.

Image: Group Financial Director, Pancherine Dias, Resource Management Associates Director, Sunith Fernando, Project Director H. De Costa and Project Consultant, O. J. S. Perera at the press conference. (Picture by Sudath Nishantha)

Related Info:
Sustainable Energy Authority - Wind Projects

Sri Lanka on Google Maps - Areas of Development Activities, Cultural, Religious and Leisure

Adamas Peak : Religious/Cultural

Anuradhapura : Religious/Cultural/Leisure

Arugam Bay : Leisure (Surfing)

Batticaloa : Investment/Leisure (Beach)

Colombo : Investment / Commerce

Galle : Cultural/Leisure (Beach)

Hambantota Magampura Port (Harbour) : Investment












Hikkaduwa : Leisure (Beach)

Jaffna : Religious/Cultural/Investment/Leisure

Kalpitiya : Investment/Leisure (Sea)














Kandy : Religious/Cultural/Leisure/Investment

Kataragama : Religious/Leisure

Kumana - Yala East National Park : Leisure (Wildlife)

Maankulam : Investment

Mannar : Investment/Leisure

Mattala (New Airport) : Investment

Negombo : Leisure (Beach)

Nilaveli : Leisure (Beach)












Norochcholai : Investment/Energy

Nuwara Eliya : Leisure

Pasikuda and kalkuda : Investment/Leisure (Beach)

Polonnaruwa : Religious/Cultural/Leisure

Pulmoddai : Investment

Sigiriya : Cultural/Leisure










Sinharaja Forest Reserve : Nature

Trincomalee : Investment/Leisure (Beach)

Wilpattu National Park : Leisure (Wildlife)

Yala National Park : Leisure (Wildlife)

See Also:
• Sri Lanka Links
• Map of Sri Lanka

Kalpitiya - Focus of A Mega Development Project

21st December 2009, www.island.lk, By Mario Andree

The islands near Kalpitiya are the focus of a mega development project. This will help Sri Lanka achieve the targeted 2.5 million tourist arrivals by 2016, say officials.

According to the Sri Lanka Tourist Development Authority (SLTDA), 14 islands with a total land area of 1,672.67 hectares are being targeted for investment projects.

Nine of those islands are state lands and the other five are held by both private and state owners. The total state-owned land area amounts to 268.94 hectares, according to officials.

The potential of generating tourist revenues is very high in these areas, says the Industrial Services bureau (ISB).

Key points of interest for development are: Dutch Bay and Portugal Bay; bar reef marine sanctuary with around 307 sq km of sea area having most valuable rich bio-diversity value; sea turtles, fisheries, ornamental fish collection, lobster capturing, sea cucumber collection, dolphins, whales, mangroves, flora and fauna, historic monuments, birds and butterflies; natural botanical gardens, beaches, natural forest, estuaries and lagoons, sea grass beds.

According to SLTDA, proposed projects for the development would focus on fishing tourism, deep sea, diving, nature-based tourism, beach tourism, sport and adventure tourism, agro-tourism, culture tourism, village tourism and events tourism.

The islands and the proposed resort area would need state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities, say officials.

Special development projects in the zone include the following: domestic airport – Uchchamunai; under-water amusement park – Kandakkuliya; golf course - Dutch Bay; race course – Kalpitiya and cricket playground – Kalpitiya.

ISB director Neelakanth Wanninayaka said 17 new hotels and guest houses with 5.000 rooms would be built in the zone. These projects would create 15,000 direct and 22,500 indirect jobs, reducing the unemployment rate of the North Western Province which is currently at 7.8 percent.

The North Western province currently contributes 9.6 percent to the national GDP with a per capita income of Rs150,551.

The province has a high potential for investments and tourism attractions and it should maximize its contribution to national economic growth, Wanninayaka said.

The ISB of the North Western Province will assist all potential investors to launch development projects, he added.

Tourism is likely to bring higher revenues to post-war Sri Lanka and a study by the Asia Foundation has highlighted a tremendous potential for investment projects within the zone. In addition to new projects, existing facilities are to be upgraded to realize their full potential.

According to the Asia Foundation study, potential investment areas for the North Western Province include leisure tourism and water sports at Bathalegoda Lake, a 100-room star class hotel at Kurunegala lake round, reconstruction of Rajapihilla Rest House, adventure tourism at Ibbagala Circuit Bungalow for local tourists at Lake round, Ayurvedic village and circuit bungalow at Dolukanda cable car project connecting Ethagala and Kurunegala, said North Western Province Chief Minister Athula Wijesinghe.

Map of Kalpitiya

Kalpitiya Projects

Taprobana 4x4 Challenge - 2009, Sri Lanka’s Premier 4x4 Event will be Flagged Off at Puttlam on 28th October

www.motormaglanka.com

Taprobana 4x4 Challenge, which was earlier called the “4x4 Challenge”, is now renamed “Taprobana 4x4 Challenge” and will be flagged off at Puttlam on 28th October and will run along the mainland and will have the longest water crossing transport stage ever witnessed in a 4x4 event in Sri Lanka.

The 2.8 km Distance between the Kalpitiya Town and the Mainland, Serakkuliya will be the crossing point depending on the tides for the given day. Organized by the Four Wheel Drive Club (FWDC), this year’s event is scheduled for a Grand Finale on the 1st of November 2009 at Kandakulliya Beach in Kalpitiya.