📈 Pelwatte Sugar Factory to Pivot into Tourism Hub

The Cabinet has approved a plan to transform selected areas of the Pelwatte Sugar Factory into a major tourist attraction through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The move aims to leverage the industrial heritage and vast land assets of the state-owned facility. • Strategic Development: The government is calling for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to develop 4 specific locations within the factory premises. Key focus areas include Agro-tourism, Eco-tourism, and Wellness tourism. • Asset Optimization: Managed by Lanka Sugar Company Ltd, the site covers part of a nearly 15,000-hectare landscape (including Sevanagala). The plan utilizes existing infrastructure like unused bungalows and scenic streams without disrupting sugar production. • Regional Synergy: Located between Ella, Yala, and Udawalawe, the project aims to tap into existing wildlife and nature travel circuits. A unique feature includes 225 km of electric fencing, offering potential for conservation-based tourism. • Economic Impact: The PPP model is designed to diversify revenue, lower production costs for brown sugar, and boost regional employment without layoffs for the current workforce of ~500. _Note: Procurement will follow prescribed guidelines to identify eligible private sector partners._