Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is set for a major investment drive with the launch of the ‘Land Bank Management Information System (LBMIS)’, an automated platform making over 3,000 acres of state and privately-owned land available for development.
The initiative was announced at a press conference held at the Ministry of Tourism and Foreign Affairs in Colombo last week. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) confirmed the new system will serve as a one-stop-shop for investors seeking to develop tourism projects, while also allowing landowners to list their properties for potential partnerships, lease, or sale.
In a significant policy move, the government has stipulated that all land plots will be offered on a 33-year lease. According to the Deputy Minister of Tourism, the government will not hesitate to reclaim and reallocate the land if investors fail to implement their projects within the stipulated timelines.
“This initiative is part of an ongoing practice to accelerate sustainable tourism development across the country,” Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasighe said. “We are creating a transparent and efficient mechanism for investors, but we are also serious about project implementation. Land that remains undeveloped will be returned to the bank and offered to other serious investo
Tourism Ministry officials stressed that unlike earlier methods, the land bank provides a significantly improved facilitation process for investors. The LBMIS, accessible at landbank.sltda.gov.lk, features a repository of pre-evaluated land parcels suitable for a range of tourism projects, from luxury resorts and boutique hotels to eco-lodges and wellness retreats. The SLTDA’s Investor Relations Unit (IRU) will facilitate the process, assisting with approvals, permits, and clearances through a single-window mechanism.
This move is part of a broader strategy to attract high-value tourism and position Sri Lanka as a premier destination in Asia.
The newly launched land bank features a significant portfolio of SLTDA-owned properties in key tourism zones. These include Dedduwa Lake Resort (1,713 acres for integrated resorts), the Kalpitiya Islands of Uchchamunai (1,095 acres) and Baththalangunduwa (291 acres) for integrated resorts with marine tourism, and 74 acres in the Kuchchaveli Beach Resort Zone for prime beachfront development.
Additionally, Trincomalee offers 40 acres in Rasool Thottam for agri-tourism and 4 acres in Allas Garden for smaller ventures. The Bentota National Holiday Resort has over 24 acres in various parcels, including the Folk Art Centre and shopping complex units, while Pasikudah National Holiday Resort boasts a 6.5-acre beach plot for high-end hotels. Finally, a 19-acre plot near Pidurangala is available for nature and culture-based tourism projects.
The SLTDA is inviting both local and international investors with proven capabilities to submit Expressions of Interest for these properties and also encourages private landowners to list their properties in the land bank. (NF)
