SLTDA unlocks 3,000 acres for tourism development via new digital land bank

• Govt. to fast-track investments, retake idling plots
• Land plots to be offered on 33-year lease 
• Move is part of a broader strategy to attract high-value tourism and position country as a premier Asian destination 

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 investors.”

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)

Tourism sector sees 
mid-June slowdown amid Middle East conflict 

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is showing early signs of a slowdown, with arrivals in the second week of June 2025 dipping compared to the first. The trend is being attributed to the ripple effects of the Middle East conflict on the aviation industry.

Despite the weekly dip, the first fifteen days of June recorded a healthy 16.8 percent Year-on-Year (YoY) growth over the same period in 2024.

Official data from SLTDA showed 31,547 tourists arriving in the first week of June 2025, but the figure fell to 28,240 in the second week. Total arrivals for the first half of June reached 63,856, a notable increase from the 54,653 recorded in the corresponding period last year.

Speaking at a recent press conference, Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe assured that the overall tourist flow has remained steady so far. However, he expressed concern over winter bookings, noting that ongoing geopolitical instability could pose a risk to future reservations.

Fate of nation branding campaign awaits key decision today

The launch of Sri Lanka’s much-anticipated Nation Branding campaign, a major policy shift by the new government hangs in the balance with its fate dependent on a crucial expert committee decision expected today (Monday).

The proposed grand launch which was announced nearly three weeks ahead, set for this Thursday, is now likely to be postponed, adding another chapter to the country’s decade-long struggle to roll out a consistent global promotional campaign. After years of failed tourism-centric slogans and strategies, the current administration pivoted to a more holistic ‘Nation Branding’ approach to cohesively market the country’s tourism, trade, and investment potential.

However, the initiative has hit a procedural snag. According to Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, the go-ahead for the June 26 launch hinges on the verdict of a procurement committee reviewing prior agreements.

If the committee does not approve the existing plans, the launch will be deferred, and a new expert committee will be appointed to steer the project. This uncertainty casts a shadow over the campaign intended to finally provide a stable and unified brand identity for Sri Lanka on the world stage.