Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Development of Sri Lanka

Southern Expressway

The expressway that runs from Colombo to Matara also known as the “Southern Expressway” was completed on 15^th June 2011 enabling a comfortable and short journey of around

2 ½ hours to the south of the island. Traveling along the expressway, visitors can also discover Sri Lanka from a very different perspective as it stretches across further inland, away from the costal road, through rural areas, villages, green paddy fields that connote the pure, untouched Sri Lanka.

Hotel Malu Malu

The first star class hotel constructed on the bay of Pasikuda after regaining peace, Hotel Malu malu resort and spa was declared open by the Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksha recently. Built at a cost of 40 chalets designed with the typical environment bestows the guests with an exclusive opportunity to experience sun, sand and sea while enjoying the elegance and luxury of the resort.

Mattala Airport

The main runway of the Mattala International Airport in Hanbantota, Sri Lanka has been completed and as the second international airport in the country, its commercial operation will commence in 2012. The runway with a length of 4000 meters and a width of 75 meters has all necessary facilities to land the largest aircraft available at present such as Airbus A-380. Taxi route to the runway is 370 meters long and 60 meters wide. Under the first stage of the project, 10 aircrafts can be landed at this airport simultaneously. It is expected to expand the local aviation industry whilst being a catalyst for the country’s economic development enabling international trade. Tourism, vocational training and implemented through the project. It is one of the prominent mega projects implemented by the government.

Mirijjawila Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden in Mirijjawila that consists of an area 300 acres is the first botanical garden to be established in the dry zone of the Island. Located on the Colombo – Katharagama main road, it is expected to become a center of tourism with the Mattala international airport on its left side and the Hambantota harbor on its right side. Water for this garden is received from the nearby Beragama tank and several more tanks will be constructed inside the garden premises. The garden will be facilitating ornamental flower cultivation and researches on flora of the area.

Planting of varieties is underway while the contraction of infrastructure facilities has been nearly completed. The garden percents an attractive location for both domestic and foreign tourists with its rich bio diversity and calm environs unique to the dry zone.

Wildlife

Elephant Gathering in Minneriya National Park.

Wild elephants from the surrounding wildness make their way to the shores of the Minneriya Lake inside the Minneriya National park in search of food and water during the dry season from July to October. A large head of elephants, sometimes numbering up to 300 converge together within a few square kilometers of the lake assuring one with fascinating scenic movements of wildlife in Sri Lanka.

Marine National Parks.

Hikkaduwa marine national park covers an area of 101 hectares including a snorkeling and diving zone and also a bathing zone, catering to the diverse needs of both local and foreign adventure seekers. A diverse collection of sea creatures as well as dazzling fringing reefs of various corals are the chief attraction of the place. The park that had been closed due to the degradation of coral reefs is now reopened with alterations thus continuing to fascinate both local and foreign visitors.

Pigeon Island National park the other marine national park the other marine national park in Sri Lanka is situated 1Km away from the coast of Nilaveli, a costal town in eastern province. The park consisting of two islands: large and small, offers an exclusive experience of shimmering colored coral reefs and the scenes of rocky islets. Being closed for sometime due to the war operations in the area, it is now re – open for the visitor’s allowing them to return to its sensuality and serenity.