A recently opened communications tower in Colombo, Sri Lanka will soon house a casino as part of an agreement to operate a comprehensive entertainment area across one floor of the building.
According to details announced by Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Tourism, Diana Gamage, at a press conference last Friday, Lotus Tower Management Company (LTMC) will receive US$1.4 million a year after signing an agreement with Singapore’s Kreate Design Pte Limited to operate a casino and entertainment area at the Colombo Lotus Tower.
It is unclear whether Kreate Design will attempt to run the casino itself or bring in outside expertise.
Ranked the 19th tallest tower in the world and 11th tallest in Asia, Colombo Lotus Tower opened to the public in September with its main function as a radio and television broadcasting antenna for more than 100 stations and telecommunications service providers.
It also boasts six floors of retail and tourism offerings including a museum, restaurants, a food court, MICE facilities, an observation deck and one floor of luxury hotel rooms.
While details of the casino itself are light, Gamage said Friday that Kreate Design would lease out one floor of Colombo Lotus Tower covering 44,000 square meters and that the floor would be used to create an entertainment area comprising a casino and a water park, among other attractions. The initial agreement is for 10 years.
Kreate Design’s Business Development Director Cyntia Chan is quoted as saying, “This investment agreement includes development of water sports and an entertainment zone, one of the best to be developed at world class standard at the Lotus Tower in Colombo.”
Gamage added, “This will enable Colombo Lotus Tower as a hub to develop trade, investment and tourism activities between Singapore and Sri Lanka.”
Sri Lanka currently has five legal casinos, of which three are owned by Dhammika Perera and two by Ravi Wijeratne.
