US $ 4.2mn Fantasy Island theme park to feature SL’s largest ferris wheel

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka along with Waters Edge Chairman Chamath De Silva, Melchers Group Singapore Director Alexander Melchers and other representatives at the groundbreaking ceremony

Sri Lanka’s largest ferris wheel will soon make its first spin, soaking up bird’s eye views across the capital city and its suburbs. The iconic wheel would be part of a 1.5-acre entertainment zone, ‘Fantasy Island’, which also houses a large water park and an impressive
snow cave. 

With its groundbreaking ceremony having taken place on August 23, 2019, under the patronage of Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, the said theme park is part of the Megapolis development plan to establish world-class recreational and entertainment facilities in the close vicinity to Colombo.

With an estimated investment of US $ 4.2 million in the first phase, Fantasy Island expects to attract 1,000 visitors a day as an integral part of the country’s dynamic drive to boost tourism earnings from around Southeast Asia with special focus on providing new world entertainment and adventure activities for children, youth and families.

“Fantasy Island will also provide superior entertainment and fun activities for the residents of Colombo and Sri Lanka at large,” Waters Edge Chairman Chamath De Silva said. 
“We have also transformed Waters Edge to be the largest entertainment and recreational hub in Colombo; everything was developed according to a plan,”
he added.

The proposed ferris wheel standing 40 meters high (approximate the height of a 14-storey building) would consist of 34 capsules and can accommodate over 200 people at any given time, while each ride will last 20 minutes. 

The construction would also have special built-in capsules for the differently-abled.

The accompanying thematic water park would comprise of a thrilling mix of physical and visual sensations with a height of up to 12 meters ranging from six slides, whirlwind slides and open downward spiral tunnels that set the pulse racing up to the final splashdown. 

Targeted specially for kids of all ages, the water park could accommodate up to 350 children, at any given time.

Empowered by high-quality German technology, the snow cave will offer visitors a gentle and pleasant cool-down after thrills of the water park and the ferris wheel. 

The scientifically curated room would consist of real snow with activities synonymous with freshly snow-covered winter landscapes around the globe. 

Children and adults alike will be offered a unique climate experience to be able to touch and feel real snow – within the neighbourhood of tropical Colombo.

The open terrain of the theme park would also be adorned with skateboarding and other entertainment activities, which would be complemented by the existing ‘Diyatha Station’ food court, Sri Lanka’s first series of multi-cuisine restaurants based inside train carriages.

A sports themed bar will also be part of this area, along with a teen corner with a gaming arcade, pool tables and game boards that ensure entertainment for the entire family.

“As a hospitality giant in the industry, our aim is to transform the paradigm of entertainment and recreation in the country and dominate the leisure sector with our expertise and sustainable partnerships,” commented Waters Edge Director Strategic Initiatives Enoj Muthukumarana, in view of the groundbreaking ceremony held on Friday. 

“We aspire to entertain the middle-class families and their children and provide them with an opportunity to experience world-class standards in innovative adventure, which represents the elements air, sea and land. All activities within Fantasy Island are geared to stimulate both their physical senses and the mind,” he added.

Fantasy Island (Private) Limited is conceived and backed by Germany’s Melchers Group out of Singapore. Melchers Group, through its Sri Lankan branch CMC Engineering, has been active in Sri Lanka for over 35 years. 

Fantasy Island is 100 percent funded by German, Singaporean and Swiss investors, with the enduring support of the Board of Investment Sri Lanka. 

“We are happy to benefit from the excellent relations between Sri Lanka and Singapore,” said Melchers Group Singapore Director Alexander Melchers.

“We are committed to investing in the park through new attractions, infrastructure and services,” said CMC Engineering Export Chairman Michael Perera.

CMC Engineering Export is the Sri Lankan office of Melchers Group. 

“With world-class, new, quality-assured equipment exclusively from European suppliers, the park will set new standards for a family entertainment centre. Equipped with all-around CCTV monitoring devices, the high-tech machines are well maintained, whilst ensuring highest in safety standards. 

The park, which combines local expertise with international entertainment experience from projects such as Singapore Flyer and Sky Tower in its development and operations, would also create over 60 employment and career development opportunities for the community,” Perera further explained.

Strategically demarcated as a zone of sheer entertainment and recreation, Fantasy Island would be managed by Fantasy Island (Private) Ltd and supported by Waters Edge through a long-term private partnership. 

The theme park, which would open its doors in December 2020 or before, also empowers the city development endeavours earmarked by the Megapolis development plan and would elevate the country with recreational standards to be in par with world leaders in entertainment..