Malik blank on city hotel project

• Asks P’ment for time to respond to questions on project details and tax concessions 

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

A project to construct and operate a new city hotel, which was gazetted by the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade, was questioned yesterday (23 March) at Parliament under section 22 (3) of the Standing Orders.

Although the gazette was tabled by the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade, Minister Malik Samarawickrama was unable to explain the project in detail, along with the tax concessions proposed. Minister Samarawickrama, in response to JVP MP Bimal Rathnayake, said: “I need to find information about this, which I got to know now. Should be able to reply within a week.” As per the Extraordinary Gazette number 2049/59 of 15 December 2017, the project is to construct and operate a 475-roomed city hotel with 90 serviced Apartments at No. 116, Galle Road, Colombo 3. The project is to commence commercial operations within a period of 77 months from the date of the Project Agreement, signed with the Board of Investment on 19 July 2012 and ending on 31 December 2018.

According to the Colombo street guide, the controversial Hyatt Regency Colombo Hotel Project is located at No. 116, Galle Road, Colombo 3.