Adding a novel experience for the people of Sri Lanka, the operations of Lotus Tower in Colombo are scheduled to kick off on September 15, 2022, the President’s Media Division (PMD) announced today.Considered to be the tallest self-supported structure in South Asia, the Lotus Tower was vested with the public by former President Maithripala Sirisena in September 2019.After it was declared open, the ‘Lotus Tower – Multifunctional TV and Telecommunications Tower’ was foreseen to be one of the significant landmarks and an epitome of the Sri Lankan economy, culture, and development.Measuring up to 356 metres in height, the Lotus Tower was constructed with a cost to the tune of USD 113 million.

A Chinese company granted USD 88.65 million while the rest was borne by the Sri Lankan government, according to the PMD.The loan instalments are due to be completed by 2024.

USD 66.3936 million of the loan has already been paid, the PMD added.Colombo Lotus Tower Private Company is a company established in March this year under the Treasury and all its transactions are audited by the Auditor General’s Department.The loan agreement between the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) and China was initiated and the work on the Lotus Tower commenced in 2012.Although its construction was planned to be completed in 2015, the planned date of completion could not be met.

The Chinese company completed the construction work and handed over the Lotus Tower to the Government of Sri Lanka on February 28, 2022.

Thereafter, Colombo Lotus Tower Pvt.

Ltd.

was established and its operations were entrusted to the company.The Chief Administrative Officer of Colombo Lotus Tower Pvt.

Ltd., Major General Prasad Samarasinghe (Rtd) said that the Lotus Tower is planned to avail new technological experiences along with entertainment similar to those found in wealthy countries around the world.Among the attractions offered at Lotus Tower are adventure sports such as skydiving and bungee jumping.Samarasinghe explained that so far 80 percent of local investors and 20 percent of foreign investors have joined the investment opportunities at the Lotus Tower.Dialog Telecom Company and Sri Lanka Telecom Company have already reached agreements for investments of Rs.

200 million each.Following the commencement of its operation, the members of the public will be allowed to visit the tower by purchasing a ticket for Rs.

500 or Rs.

2,000.

For a foreign national, the ticket is priced at USD 20.Those who purchase a ticket for Rs.

2,000 will be given the opportunity to enter the premises without standing in a queue and to climb to the top of the tower several times during a single visit.

Meanwhile, those who purchase Rs.

500 ticket will be allowed to visit the top of the tower only once.The PMD said a QR code system is planned to be introduced in the future in lieu of tickets.The Lotus Tower operations have been designed to meet the anticipated entertainment and recreational requirements of the public.

The Lotus Tower is spread over 10.5 acres of land and will no doubt become an entertainment haven for the youth who desire adventure sports.Colombo Lotus Tower Pvt.

Ltd.

states that it is currently negotiating with 58 investment companies and expressing interest in entering into agreements with 22 of them, and orders for 15 different events have been received until December 31 this year.The chief administrator stated that after 2024, Lotus Tower has created the necessary environment to ensure profitability as a company and plans to continue its operations without burdening the Treasury.Samarasinghe further stated that it is planned to carry out all these operations more successfully from January next year.Those visiting the Lotus Tower can experience pubs, famous restaurants and souvenir shops on the ground floor, while several renowned commercial banks are also planned to be established on the ground floor.The first floor is expected to be allocated for offices and it is also expected to establish a digital cinema hall.

On the requests made by individuals and companies, steps have been taken to rent out space at the Lotus Tower on the basis of rates per square foot.

The third floor consists of a conference hall, which can accommodate up to 400 people at a time.

Meanwhile, the open floor has been designed in such a manner that it can be used for various entertainment activities.On the first floor, shaped like a lotus bud, a reception hall has been constructed that can accommodate about 400 people, and the upper floor is equipped with a revolving restaurant which no doubt, will be a novel experience for the public.

Further, the public will also have the unique opportunity of experiencing a bird’s eye view of the Colombo skyline from the highest observation deck.Lotus Tower is also equipped with three of the fastest lifts in the country, made in line with Japanese technology.

The public can look forward to experiencing these unique attractions when the Colombo Lotus Tower commences operations on September 15..

This article first appeared/also appeared in https://adaderana.lk