Transforming Beira Lake into a Tourist Paradise

News Today: Sri Lanka to Lease Beira Lake Island for Tourism

Sri Lanka plans to lease out Beira Lake island, located in the financial district, for 50 years, Cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena told Legacy Daily. “Bird Island will be developed as a tourist attraction,” he stated.

The Chief Incumbent of the Gangarama Temple requested the land to be developed as a tourist area with a focus on cultural heritage, as quoted by a cabinet spokesman. The 143 perch island, situated on the southwest of Beira Lake, was transferred to the Urban Development Authority in 2000 as part of the Colombo City Development Plan under the Beira Lake Restoration Project.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal by the Minister of Urban Development and Housing to transfer this land to the Sri Jinrathana Institute, affiliated with the Gangarama Temple, on a long-term lease based on the value determined by the Chief Assessor of the Government.

This initiative is expected to boost tourism and highlight Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage. The development of Bird Island will be a significant step in promoting Colombo as a prime tourist destination, leveraging the historical and cultural significance of the Gangarama Temple.

By transforming Bird Island into a tourist hotspot, the government aims to attract both local and international tourists, thereby enhancing the economic and cultural value of the area.