Sri Lanka to develop a new tourist zone in Kalpitiya isles

Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa recently said that plans are underway to develop the Kalpitiya area of the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka as a super tourist zone.

The Ministry expects to develop 14 islands in Kalpitiya area under the Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Resort Project (KITRAP).
According to Sri Lanka's tourist promotion office the project will build eco-friendly tourist resorts with around 5,000 hotel rooms in over 4,000 acres of land in the peninsula. The resorts will be built with water sports and recreation facilities.

Kalpitiya, the stretch of land planked between the sea on one side and the lagoon on the other side, and the nearby islets in the Puttalam District will be developed under the KITRP as a major tourist destination similar to Bali in Indonesia, according to tourism officials.

The government expects to complete the project within four years and it is anticipated that 45,000 employment opportunities can be created via the tourist zone.

However, the government has promised not to evacuate the fishermen from this famous fishing area.