Sri Lanka’s New Yacht Marina and Harbour Update

The Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) will reclaim and add nearly 100 acres of landmass to the Galle Harbour, changing the Island’s contours.

The Cabinet of Ministers has cleared a proposal to call for Expressions of Interest from investors to develop the Galle Port as a regional commercial port with additional services including tourism. The project involves deepening the port from the current 10 metres to 20 metres parallel to the construction of the two breakwaters.

A 45-hectare land area will be reclaimed from the sea as a Port City in which shopping malls, leisure parks, community centres, hotels and many other facilities will be available. The first phase of the project including construction of the two breakwaters and land reclamation is estimated to cost approximately US$175 million.

Many leading figures recently participated in an awareness programme organized by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). Ports Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena and Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana represented the Government at the event centered on the Under the Galle Port development proposal of the construction of two breakwaters of 850 and 150 metres in length to be constructed. According to SLPA sources a yacht marina and a cruise ship terminal will be built with the project going beyond providing traditional services.

“This is a significant incentive in attracting superyachts wanting to explore and enjoy Sri Lanka’s cruising and on land attractions”, said Priyantha Perera, heading up Asia Pacific Superyachts Sri Lanka, adding: “The main cruising destinations consist of the North-East coast and the Southern coast which boasts of some of the most pristine beaches of the world”.

Subsequent to the global investor forum it was proposed this reclaimed land of 40 hectares to then be leased out to both local and foreign investors for mixed development projects. This is to include leisure parks, apartments, hotels, ship repair facilities, marinas, shopping malls and other recreation facilities, making it the biggest post COVID development project in Sri Lanka.

“Extensive studies have been conducted with the assistance of a sufficient spectrum of data and the design is robust and economical. Environmental Impact Assessment has also been completed and validity of the development permit is being renewed up to date,” the Sports Minister said, adding: “We will be officially calling for global expressions of interest at the end of February and we expect the project to be completed in three years.”

The approval of UNESCO had already been obtained since Galle town, including its Fort, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Galle Fort has a history going back several centuries to the period of colonization by the Dutch and is very popular among tourists due to being the best preserved Dutch Fort in South Asia.

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Photo Credit: Asia Pacific Superyachts Sri Lanka