President opens international convention center in Hambantota ahead of CHOGM

Friday, 8 November 2013 06:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday ceremonially declared open the Magam Ruhunupura International Conference Hall in the port city of Hambantota. Magam Ruhunupura International Conference Hall (MRICH) situated in a 28 acre plot of land in Siribopura, Hambantota, is Sri Lanka’s second international conference hall. The main hall has 1,500 seats and there are three additional halls with a seating capacity of 250 each. The conference hall is fully equipped with modern technical facilities and a vehicle park for 400 vehicles and also has a helipad for helicopter landing. The Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) that will be held from November 10 -14 is the first international conference to be held at the venue.

The conference hall was constructed by the Urban Development Authority and the Korean international Corporation at a cost of US$ 15.3 million. Ambassador of Republic of Korea to Colombo Jongmoon Choi, Ministers Professor G.L. Peiris and Mahinda Amaraweera, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, and parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa were also present at the opening ceremony. The President also declared open the Siribopura flyover located at the junction of the Ambalantota-Weerawila road this evening. The flyover is a part of the major highways interchange project in the Southern Province. The 150-meter long 4-lane flyover is the first one built in the Hambantota district. It has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 2.675 billion.