• 510 acres in Trinco leased to investors for resort projects
• Project delays attributed to lengthy multi-agency approval process
• Only one hotel operational so far; second nearing launch

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) reveals that it has entered into lease agreements with several investors in respect of 510 acres of land earmarked for tourism development in Kuchchaveli, Trincomalee.

Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, SLTDA Deputy Director General Upali Ratnayake revealed that to date, the authority had entered into lease agreements with around 10-11 investors in respect of the land in Kuchchaveli granted to the SLTDA for the Kuchchaveli beach resort project.

Commenting on the delay in the realisation of the Kuchchaveli project, he pointed out that the primary cause for the delay was the significant time taken for the approval process of individual projects.   

He further stated: “After entering into the lease agreements, each specific project is required to obtain the approval of Government institutions such as the Coast Conservation Department, Archaeology Department, Central Environmental Authority, and Urban Development Authority.”

Accordingly, Ratnayake noted that at present, only one hotel, the Uga Jungle Beach, was in operation in Kuchchaveli. However, he revealed that another hotel was on the cusp of commencing operations at the site. 

Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business on a previous occasion, SLTDA Tourism Planning, Development, and Investor Relations Director Dr. Prasad Jayasuriya said that another 137 acres in Kuchchaveli had been allocated for a golf course, but after the master plan was developed, they had realised there was elephant movement from the jungle across this patch of land to the resort area.

Therefore, the patch of land will be kept as an elephant habitat conservation area in order to allow animal movement. This will be an attraction for the resort alongside a few nature-friendly activities such as tree houses and observation decks, all of which will be created on the land without obstructing animal movement.

“Another 138 acres have been allocated for common facilities like the road network within the resort office and some public areas, and we must also leave some space for the animals to move freely without building a hotel [in a manner that would obstruct their movement],” Dr. Jayasuriya added.