Waters Edge Chairman Chamath de Silva opening the office

By Zahara Zuhair
The Urban Development Authority (UDA)-owned resort Waters Edge in Battaramulla is gearing up for a Rs.13 billion expansion project under the Western Region Megapolis Master Plan, the resort officials said. 

The scope of the project will include 182 hotel rooms, 75 serviced apartments and 125 residencies, expected to be completed in two years.

“The present Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka is very keen to get this started soon,” Waters Edge General Manager Rohan Fernadopulle told Mirror Business.

He said that the intention of carrying out a project of such nature was to contribute to the Master Plan, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), as well as for the well-being of the community. 
He noted that the funding for the project would come from the UDA and also through loans.
Once it is completed, the apartments will be rented out and sold to locals and foreigners as well, he said.

As part of the project, a project implementing and monitoring office was ceremonially opened by the officials on Wednesday, at the Waters Edge premises, followed by the appointment of Kumar de Silva, a civil/structural engineer, as Director of Projects.

“The implement room will operate as a separate unit with 15 people,” he said.

Sharing news on their future plans, Waters Edge Chairman Chamath de Silva said their vision was to increase the Waters Edge property’s value to US $ 500 million by 2030. In addition, the project also includes constructing a sports complex on a 12-acre land, which would host numerous sports events.
At present, Waters Edge hosts weddings, conferences, etc., but the need for a property of such to attract tourists to the area would be accomplished through this, as it has many other attractions in the surrounding, such as the Diyatha Uyana, Ape Gama, etc.

The Chairman said that tenders had already been called for the appointment of the top posts (civil engineers, architects, consultants, etc.) of the project and the closing date would be February 28.
“Once it is finalised, we will call for tenders for constructors; we are inviting the constructors to submit bids,” he added.

However, the earthwork for the widening of the property was initiated under the previous regime in 2014, by the Defence and Urban Development Ministry, with the UDA and Sanken Construction (Pvt.) Ltd carrying out the work.
Pix by Nisal Baduge