Hambantota, the Candidate City for Commonwealth Games in 2018

Bid Highlights

• A motivation to host a Commonwealth Games that is intrinsically linked with plans for the long term development of the District of Hambantota and the Southern Province of Sri Lanka.
• All planned competition venues will be developed by 2016 allowing a comprehensive test event programme,including the 2016 South Asian Games.
• Special 'visa on arrival' arrangements will be in place during the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
• A Government-led project, with a strong financial commitment, fully supported by Guarantees.

Fast-changing Hambantota

Located on the south-eastern coast of Sri Lanka in the Southern province, Hambantota district covers an area of 2,593 km². Today, Hambantota is in the grip of a massive development drive. On the run-up to Commonwealth Games in 2018, the transformation taking place is simply of epic proportions. Among the major development projects underway in Hambantota district are the Hambantota Sea-port, the International Airport in Mattala and the Southern Expressway linking Capital Colombo and Matara.

Hambantota International Seaport

Inaugural construction work in Hambantota sea-port marked the dawn of a new phase of development for Hambantota. In fact, it was this that accelerated the development drive in Hambantota. The entire project, to be completed in 15 years and in four phases, is estimated to cost one billion US$. It is funded by the Exim Bank of China.

The first phase will cost approximately $ 450 million and be completed by the end of 2010. The port will be capable of handling 20 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year with 11 kilometres (km) of berths. The project includes:

• A gas-fired power plant project
• A ship repair unit
• A container repair unit
• An oil refinery
• A bunkering terminal

The proposed bunkering terminal, once completed, will be able to handle up to 500,000 metric tons (mt) of oil products a year. Depending on the requirements, the terminal can be further expanded up to one million mt.

As the port is located in close proximity to major shipping lanes and is also a refuelling location, Hamabantota has many an advantage over the Colombo port or rival Indian ports. Refuelling and bunkering activities alone could generate substantial revenues while future transshipment revenues would rake in great profits. With 2000 hectares of land in total, five times bigger than Colombo port`s, there is enormous potential for further growth and expansion. When completed, the Hambantota harbour will accommodate 33 vessels to berth at any given time, which would make it the biggest harbour in South Asia.

At a rough guess, some 36000 vessels pass Hambantota annually. As many as 4500 oil tankers transporting crude oil from the Gulf-zone to countries such as China Korea and Japan, the highest oil-consuming nations in the world take this route. Currently, it is the Singapore Port that caters to most of these oil tankers from Dubai. These large ships, however, have to take a detour for three-and-a-half days to Singapore and also to India, Thailand, and Malaysian harbours for refuelling, buying provisions medical supplies and other essentials. Due to its location and limited capacity, they had never considered Colombo Port a viable option.

When the Hambantota Port is completed, ships can save nearly three days`sailing time, fuel and enjoy numerous benefits by anchoring at Hambantota port. It is predicted that many of the 4,500 oil tankers will anchor in Hambantota for bunkering, ship repairing, and to purchase food, water and medical supplies and logistics. It is expected that at least 20 percent of the shipping traffic mainly the oil tankers will call over at Hambantota Port.

Apart from the direct commercial benefits that Hambantota Harbour can afford, it offers numerous other advantages most of which are intangible. One of the main drivers behind this wondrous transformation, it is crucial for Hambantota in winning its bid to play host to Commonwealth Games in 2018.

International Airport in Mattala

This is the second biggest development project currently underway in Hambantota. The airport now under construction is located so close to Hambantota port that it will make it an excellent cargo hub. The new airport’s location, in Mattala, will give easy access to a number of natural reservoirs and game parks in Sri Lanka – most of which are situated in the South. It will also be an excellent entry point to the beaches in the vicinity, so the tourists would love to arrive in Hambantota. However, at the beginning, its key potential will be cargo.

It is a single runway (3500 metres* 75 metres) airport with a single non-airbridge terminal and a passenger terminal of 10000 sq. metres and a cargo terminal of 1000 sq. metres. The airport is being built on 2000 hectares of land at a cost of 200 US$. With its vast runway, the airport will be able to operate even the world`s largest aircraft such as A380 air-bus. As an alternative to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), it will be geared to support international and domestic air travel, sea cargo transshipment in conjunction with the Hambantota harbour. The project is expected to be completed by December 2011 with the first flight scheduled to land in January 2012.

This airport will be helpful for Hambantota to be connected with other cities. It is also a key factor positively affecting Hambantota `s bid to host Commonwealth Games in 2018.

Southern Expressway

The Colombo-Matara express highway (also known as the Southern Lanka express highway or simply the Southern Expressway) is an express highway currently under construction. The 126 km (78.2 mile) long highway will connect the Sri Lankan Capital Colombo with Matara, a major city in the South of the Island. Construction on the highway commenced in 2006 and it is expected to be completed in 2010 at the cost of $600 million. Once it has been completed, it will cut the time taken to travel from Colombo to Matara to one and a half hours from the current four hours. Also, this will help boost tourism in the region of Hambantota and will create new avenues of income for the people in the area.

Development of Sports utilities in Hambantota

With Hambantota getting prepared to host Commonwealth Games in 2018, there are more projects currently underway. Some of them are: Hambantota International Sports Hub

Hambantota International Sports Hub (HISH) currently under construction is perhaps the best sports complex in the South Asian region and one of the most sophisticated in the world. It will have a world-class athletic stadium and other sports utilities to play around 17 Games, including Hockey, Squash, Rugby, Football and the like. Besides these, it will have a host of other facilities such as Sports Business Enterprise park, warm weather training facility and cycling development centre.

Sports University

This international Sports University will offer study programmes on sports, induce the sports sector in the country, be a good breeding ground for great sportsmen and sportswomen and groom local sports talent to compete internationally.

• Residential
  • Condominium
  • Bungalow
• IT Parks
• Hospital
• Tourism & Recreation Centre
• Tourism
• Cricket Stadium Complex
• 18 hole golf course
• Hotels
• Wholesale Market

Most of these projects have already been launched. While some of them are nearing completion, all these are expected to be in full swing by 2018. All the development projects are fully compliant with the Sri Lankan government`s green agenda. The Commonwealth Games in 2018 is going to take place in a greener Hambantota teeming with ultra-modern amenities. Already, the stage is all ready for the Big Event!

Other development programmes

In addition to these three major development projects, a number of other development programmes are being implemented with the aim of improving the infrastructure in the region. They include Lighting Hambantota project and Hambantota Fishery Harbour.

Lighting Hambantota Project

Extension of the power grid to ensure continuous electricity to households and factories in the area will further stimulate the economic growth and enhance the living conditions of the people.

Hambantota Fishery Harbour

Hambantota fishery harbor will play a central role in the promotion of fishery industry in the region of Hambantota. Further, the government has launched several electricity projects, water supply projects, housing development projects, health sector development projects, educational development projects and agricultural development projects.