Grand Hyatt Colombo to open by 2017 winter season

The much-awaited Grand Hyatt Colombo, which has gone through many a false start in recent years owing to the change in governments and questions over its local owning company, is now set to be operational by December 2017.  A statement to the media by owning company Sino Lanka Hotels and Spa said the Grand Hyatt Colombo features elegant architecture, spectacular lobby and public spaces, and multiple dining experiences, in addition to a wide range of accommodation facilities.  The US$240 million property consists of 1.1 million sq. ft built up area spread across 49 levels. It will have 397 rooms, 61 suites and 100 serviced apartments (ranging from 1 to 3 bed rooms).

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(Source: Sunday Times)

Land Ministry to digitise land bank

Land being the costliest asset in realty has often been at the epicentre of land fights, property crimes and frauds.  Sri Lanka’s Land Ministry now is mulling to digitise its land bank in a bid to curb these issues, a top minister said.  ”There’s a proposal to digitise all lands,” John Amaratunga, Minister of Lands (in addition to his other portfolios – Tourism and Christian Religious Affairs) told the Business Times.  He said that he had a discussion with some parties recently on this and their proposal was interesting. The main reasons cited for this digitisation effort are to detect and prevent fraud and to improve data analytics while streamlining processes in the ministry, he added.

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(Source: Sunday Times)

Krrish Tower project: FCID probe in India

A multibillion rupee project to construct the Krrish Towers, a high rise office cum apartment complex opposite the Colombo Hilton, has become the subject of a detailed inquiry by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).

Hambantota District parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, described as a prime mover of this project, has been questioned in this regard by FCID detectives.

This week, FCID chief senior DIG Ravi Waidyalankara flew to India to record statements from those who were reportedly the Indian collaborators in the controversial project.

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(Source: Sunday Times)

Siemens cements ties with Sri Lanka on smart city solutions

Siemens today said it has strengthened its partnership with Sri Lanka by signing a pact with the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development to offer expertise from its globally-proven smart city solutions.

The major objective of the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development is to bring systematic changes and development processes into the urban community in Sri Lanka, which will ensure inhabitants of urban areas become part of socio-economic development while maintaining high quality of life, Siemens said in a BSE filing.

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(Source: Sri Lanka Mirror)

Bill to make prior approval of NBRO compulsory- Yapa

A Bill would be soon passed in parliament making it compulsory to obtain prior approval from the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) before commencing any construction work, Disaster Management Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said today. “We are compelled to change laws pertaining to construction as the country is frequently hit by natural catastrophes,” he said. 

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(Source: Daily Mirror)

Western Province megalopolis to be completed in 2030

The megalopolis project in the Western Province is planned to be completed by 2030,Megalopolis and Western Development Minister Champika Ranawaka said.

Speaking at a seminar on the Western Province Megalopolis project conducted by the Chamber of Construction Industry recently, he said the policies regarding the Megalopolis project will be launched this week.

The main topic of the discussion was regarding the question of how soon the country will be able to see the project as a reality. The timeline given for the project claims 2030 as the year that it would see the completion of the megalopolis.

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(Source: Daily News)