South Africa's Sun City to Invest $800mn in Biggest Ever Leisure Development in Sri Lanka

03rd January 2012, www.lankabusinessonline.com

South Africa's Sun City gaming and resort group will invest 800 million dollars in the biggest ever leisure development in Katana, north of the capital Colombo the island, a media report said.

"Sun City of South Africa is now going to make an $800 million investment in a 200-acre private property," Nalaka Godahewa, head of Sri Lanka's tourism development agency was quoted as saying by Reuters, a news agency.

Sun City Resorts is run by South Africa's Sun International Ltd. Reuters said a group official had declined to comment on the plan until next year.

Sri Lanka is promoting a tourist city in Katana with incentives for hotels, shopping and a convention centre in the site.

Sri Lanka is expecting 830,000 tourists in 2011 and 950,000 in 2011. This year the industry is expecting to earn 850 million dollars.

Tourism has been booming after the end of 30-year civil war in 2009 and has been attracting large volumes of local and foreign investments.

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Reefcomber to Build a Four Star Resort Comprising 150 Rooms and 28 Water Front Villas

29th December 2010, www.dailynews.lk

Hotel Reefcomber is planning to construct a four star resort. The four star resort will be constructed on the "Santhoduwa-Kalpitiya " land containing 78 acres. This will comprise 150 rooms and 28 water front villas facing a 50 meter width waterway that cuts through the land connecting at the end to the sea a statement said.

The exclusive water villas which have individual pontoons giving access to the sea. It is expected to be leased out on a 99 year lease to high net worth individuals.

The company will operate the villas as part of the hotel with the lessees' concurrence.

Sri Lanka to Add 36,000 Hotel Rooms at $3bn Investment to Increase Tourist Yield

18th October 2010, www.dailynews.lk

Sri Lanka tourism industry is to increase yield per tourist to US $ 130 per day in 2016. It is expected that 15 percent of the total population in the country will depend on tourism by 2016. Plans are being drawn to create 36,000 additional rooms by 2016 with a total investment of US $ 3000 million.

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Director General S Kalaiselvam said, “The tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka are expected to reach the 600,000 mark this year, exceeding the highest number of tourist arrivals recorded which was 566,202 in 2004. India, UK, Germany, the Middle East, the Maldives, France, Australia, Canada, USA and the Netherlands were the top ten tourist generating countries to Sri Lanka during the period January to August 2010. These countries accounted for 72 .95 percent of total tourist arrivals to the country during the period.

He said there are 3,080 rooms in five star hotels and 1,582 rooms in four star hotels, 1,079 rooms in three star hotels, 2,517 in two star hotels 1,031 rooms in one star hotels and 5,352 rooms in unclassified hotels by the end of September 2010.

Sri Lanka Tourism identifies suitable lands for constructing new tourism resorts in the country. Bentota, Giritale, Polonnaruwa and Yala are the existing resorts and it is planned to set up new resorts at Passekudah, Kuchchaveli and Kalpitiya.

The total land area of Passekudah is 149 acres and owned by Sri Lanka Tourism. The resort will consist of 13 hotel projects with 1000 rooms, picnic area for locals, restaurants, water sports scheme and tourist police unit.

Two hundred and fifteen tourist establishments have been registered with SLTDA. Nine hundred and fifty eight rooms come under these establishments.

These establishments include hotels with 12 rooms, boutique hotels with 25 rooms, boutique villas with 31 rooms, guest houses with 616 rooms, home stay units with 269 rooms and heritage homes with five rooms.

Related Info:
Sri Lanka Tourist Arrivals - Statistics

Sri Lanka Jetwing Plans a Hotel in Northern Jaffna Peninsula

11th October 2010, www.lankabusinessonline.com

Sri Lanka's Jetwing group plans to build a hotel in the northern Jaffna peninsula, part of the former war zone which is recovering after the end of the island's ethnic war, an official said.

Hiran Cooray, chairman of Jetwing, said the hotel was part of the group's expansion plan to cater to booming tourist demand following the end of the 30-year ethnic war in May 2009.

"We're planning to build 60 rooms in Jaffna," he told the annual conference of the Institute of Certified Professional Managers. "We've identified a block of land."

Tourist arrivals into the island have risen sharply with the end of the war and removal of travel warnings, with most hotels reporting heavy bookings for the forthcoming winter peak season.

Cooray, who is also chairman of the Pacific Area Tourism Association (PATA), said the group caters to demand from local tourists as well.

"About 15-20 percent of business comes from the domestic market. It is one of the reasons we survived during the conflict."

The island's tourist industry had been in the doldrums for decades because of the ethnic war.

S Kalaiselvam, director-general of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, said the government has allocated five blocks for resorts in the north under a new tourism development plan.

Two of the blocks were in Jaffna.

Related Info:
Sri Lanka's Jetwing Invests 6bn on Eight Hotels Covering All Parts of the Country

Wild Grass - A Nature Resort in Sigiriya Wilderness Sprawled over 33acres

19th August 2010, www.dailymirror.lk, By Sherwani Synon

Hidden in the wilderness of Sigiriya in an area abundant with chirping birds lies Wild Grass; a new nature resort sprawled on 33 acres of plush land that offers luxury holidaying, delectable food and a step closer to untouched nature.

We were sold, hook line and sinker so decided to head to Sigiriya to see for ourselves what the resort had to offer. Having left Colombo fairly early, the drive was smooth and traffic free and we arrived in time for lunch. First impressions count and being greeted with warm towels and cool papaya drinks eased us into our holiday in style..


Wild Grass has 5 villas designed for double and triple occupancy with twin villas that can house four adults and 2 children. A twin villa was our abode for the night and we came across many a lizard and the unfamiliar sounds of insects and bugs buzzing away in broad day light. The large villa, ideally for families, stood tall.

Designed with glass doors and windows furnished with simple wood. My favorite feature of the villa was that they had used wood instead of metal for furnishing and I think nothing brings out atmosphere and coziness in a room like wood. Each villa consists one living room, bedroom, terrace, private garden and an open air solar shower.

In addition, the villa was equipped with a large flat screen television provided with an infinite number of channels and an interesting selection of books for those who prefer the quiet of in-room holidaying.

After exploring the villa, we decided to head towards a lake located close to the resort. Our tired minds were automatically refreshed at the sight of un-spoilt greenery bedecked with a small lake in the middle of it. Stalks and eagles flew freely above us enjoying unlimited air space.


In the perspective of activities, one can explore the outdoors and the forest by mountain hiking, cycling (which the resort provides), fishing, animal and bird watching. Wild Grass also organizes trips to heritage sites including the Rock Fortress in Sigiriya, Dambulla and the Minneriya sanctuary.

While ambling about the premises, one is bound to cross paths or witness a graceful peacock sauntering about casually. Apart from all the hiking and cycling, the resort also has a pool for those who want to unwind and relax with a swim.

Meals at Wild Grass were delicious. For lunch we were served yellow rice, brinjal moju, chicken curry, dhal curry and fried ‘wew malu’ which was divine! Dinner was served at the roof top of the restaurant.

The ambience was lovely as the view of the entire surrounding was presented to us while we sat a notch closer to the night skies of Sigiriya. The three course meal included seafood ravioli, mushroom soup, stuffed yellow fin jack and crepe suzette for dessert. I was impressed with the meals - and my taste buds are difficult to please.

The man behind these impressive meals is none other than Tissa Perera, General Manager of Wild Grass who is also the Chef at the restaurant.

Speaking to Mr. Perera, he said he entered the hospitality industry at the age of 21 and has been consumed by it. His passion has taken him overseas to the Middle East and the Maldives.

I personally enjoyed my experience at Wild Grass. After a stressful week, it was nice to get away from the hassle of city life by escaping to the jungle. The hospitality and service provided by the staff at the resort was great as everyone was friendly and willing to help - even when I displayed my clumsiness quite openly.

More Info:
Watch the video - The Resort amidst the Wilderness

Wild Grass

Pooneryn, Jaffna to be Developed as a Tourist Destination in Sri Lanka

23rd August 2010, www.news.lk

A tourism promotion campaign is to be organized in the Jaffna Peninsula with the intention of developing Pooneryn as a tourist destination for the local tourists while developing the boat service between Jaffna and Pooneryn.

This measure was discussed at a meeting held under the Chairmanship of
Governor, Northern Province, GA Chandrasiri at the Office of the
Regional Assistant Commissioner of Local Government, Jaffna recently.
It was also stated that people who go to Jaffna would then visit
Pooneryn on their way. The discussion at the meeting also centered on
the Boat Service between Pooneryn and Jaffna, Development and
renovation of historical and archeological sites, Sales Centres for
local products like Palmyrah products with the assistance of
Cooperative Societies.

Sorowwa Resort, Habarana, Latest Attraction to the Cultural Hub of Sri Lanka

29th April 2010, www.dailymirror.lk, By Sanath Weerasuriya

Surrounded by a number of nature sanctuaries, home to thousands of colourful (migrating) birds and wild elephants, ‘Sorowwa Resort’ in Habarana ideallly location for cultural and natural excursions as well as indulgence in the beauty of nature and serenity.

‘Sorowwa Resort and Spa’ is the latest attraction to the cultural hub.

'This is actually the best location for all wildlife lovers and the top wildlife sanctuaries are situated just half an hour away. Minneriya, Kaudulla, Huruluwewa and Ritigala is at very close proximity' said Dr. M. Nawaz Jiffrey, the proprietor of the 'Sorowwa Resort and Spa'.

Dr. Nawaz, a professional medical practitioner, attached to the Gampola Hospital, has a dream from his childhood days. That is to become a top hotelier one day.

‘Sorowwa Resort & Spa' is built on the exact spot where Royalty of yore had their preferred pleasure garden and weva in Habarana.

The original ‘sorowwa’ of Habarana Weva is still in tact and the hotel is built on the same land by the Weva close to the sorowwa.

‘This is the main reason I have called this place ‘Sorowwa’. As a born nature lover and cultured man, I always respect our Sri Lankan traditional values. This same thing I have introduced in to the system of the hotel too' Dr Nawaz explained.

‘Sorowwa’ has 23 rooms including 14 deluxe, 6 super deluxe, one VIP room and two rooms at the ground level for the disabled . This is the only place I have come across with such facilities for differently abled people . Apart from the usual hospitality service, Sorowwa offers a step further in serving their guests.

‘In this place of sheer tranquility, an exalted level of personalized hospitality is all yours. From the moment you arrive to be greeted by our staff with a warm smile coming straight from their heart, you will begin to feel that you have finally arrived at that place you have always dreamed of, so abandon your self unto blissful comfort, total relaxation and peace' he added.

In keeping with the old traditions of the area, ‘Sorowwa’ offers traditional Sri Lankan cuisine along with all the other global dishes at the main restaurant 'Keketiya'. Rooftop is 'Balungala' and 'Ganganatha' is the pool bar.

'This is a family resort and we serve according to family choice. An exotic spread of succulent eastern and western dishes by Chef Bandara are the speciality of 'Keketiya' said Chaminda Amerasinghe, the Manager of the place.

‘Sorowwa’ is within easy reach of so many magnificent spots of exciting wild life, historically and culturally rich sites for which Sri Lanka is famous for. Sigiriya (1/2 hour drive), Minneriya (15 minute drive), Ritigala (1/2 hour drive), Dambulla ( 1/2 hour drive), Polonnaruwa 45 minute drive), Anuradhapura (45 minute drive), Trincomalee (1 1/2 hour drive), Pasi Kuda (1 1/2 hour drive) and Knuckles is about 2 1/2 hour drive are some of the top attractions and sites close to the Resort.

Honeymooners too are assured of a most memorable stay which they would enjoy their new life together - Adding more buzz to it are majestic elephant rides and exciting wild-life excursions.

For more details call 066 2270332 / 3 or log on to www.sorowwa.com