Bentota National Holiday Resort Celebrates 40 Years

One of the first major initiatives of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, then known as the Ceylon Tourist Board, upon its formulation in 1968 was to plan and develop a National Holiday Resort in Bentota.

The Holiday Resort, which was officially opened on December 19th, 1969 by J.R. Jayewardene, Minister of State, was identified in the first 10-Year Tourism Master Plan as a means to stimulate and motivate private sector investment in tourism.

Today, the resort comprises 1-star to 5-star hotels, restaurants, telecommunication centres, banks, shops, transport services, police station, and a centre for water activities. It is one of the most visited and enjoyable areas in Sri Lanka for international and domestic tourists. In addition, a central waste water and sewerage treatment plan was set up in the late 1990s as a common facility for all hoteliers in Bentota - the first time for this communal partnership. The Bentota National Holiday Resort is the best example in Sri Lanka of how well-planned tourism is successful and sustainable, creating the least negative impact in the area and bringing together all stakeholders.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Resort, the SLTDA held a grand ceremony from the 18th-20th of December.

The three-day event included exhibitions of wild-life photographs, traditional handi-crafts, local cuisine, and flora and fauna; competitions in art, cycling, kite flying etc.; and, the opening of the Fishing Village and launching of local tourism initiatives such as signage development, life saving demonstrations, wind surfing and jet skiing, and tree planting.