Colombo’s Beira Lake Revival: Mixed Project, Eco Boats and Seaplanes

The Government has made a renewed attempt to revive a stalled mixed development project at No. 40, D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10, after repeated failures by successive administrations to attract investors.

The 3 roods and 13.85 perches of prime Urban Development Authority (UDA) land is now being offered on a 99-year lease, with proposals sought for hotels, malls, convention centres, and leisure zones. Plans also include a linear park, play areas, water recreation, and cultural spaces as part of a broader vision to transform Beira Lake into a commercial and tourism hub.

The site, however, carries a troubled past. A US$200 million luxury resort by Queensbury Leisure Ltd, owned by Dhammika Perera, was cancelled in 2017, while Japanese real estate giant Belluna Co. Ltd withdrew a Rs. 4 billion investment in 2022, citing liquidity constraints.

Practical challenges remain. State offices, including the Excise Department and CWE warehouses, still occupy the land. Over 320 unauthorized settlements have already been cleared, with more than 1,000 awaiting relocation.

Parallel initiatives are underway to restore the lake. Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof launched trials of solar-powered waste-collecting boats, each capable of removing 3,000 kilograms of floating waste daily. Meanwhile, Cinnamon Air will reintroduce seaplane operations from the Beira Lake aerodrome, with Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha highlighting domestic aviation’s role in boosting tourism.

Officials stress the project could reshape Colombo’s skyline—but warn only stable policy and investor confidence can overcome past setbacks

 

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