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.

A Global Hub

Nearly 20 centuries ago, Sri Lanka or the Ceylon produced and exported high-carbon metal to Rome, Europe, Arab and other developed countries mainly to manufacture armour such as swords. In a rocky area in Samanalawewa, near Embilitpitiya a mistrial furnace powered by strong monsoon winds was built. Field trials using replica furnaces confirm that this furnace-type used a wind-based air-supply principle that is distinct from either forced or natural draught and can produce high-carbon steel. This technology sustained a major industry in this area during the first millennium AD.

Silk Route and Hambantota Port

The trading point that connected China with Europe was Constantinople and it took almost two and a half years to transport goods along the Silk route overland. However, due to the conflicts between countries over the Silk Route, the merchants had to find alternative routes to connect ancient Alexandria with China. Then the Chinese and the Arabs chose Hambantota in the centre of the former Maritime Silk Route around 250 BC for sea transportation.

An important regional hub

The name “Hambantota” was derived from the Sinhala word “Hamban” and “Thota”. The former which was used to describe a certain variety of sailing craft and the latter which means the “port”. Hence “Hambantota” was really the “port for Hambans”. Although the origin of the name Hambantota is still a moot point, there is strong historical evidence pointing to the fact that Hambantota had been an important commercial hub as early as first Millennium AD.

Accelerated development

Inspired with the vision of making Sri Lanka the centre of excellence in Asia, the government made a firm commitment to developing infrastructure in the country.Thus, a massive development drive was launched to expedite development in Hambantota district. Following the landslide victory of UPFA (United Peoples Freedom Alliance) at the recently concluded general election, HE the President Mahinda Rajapakshe and the ruling UPFA reaffirmed their commitment to making Sri Lanka the Centre of Excellence in Asia. The development drive already in motion was further accelerated.

Economic revolution

Now a massive economic revolution is sweeping across Hambantota. Entrepreneurs are investing millions of dollars to start business ventures and reap the full benefits of the economic boom. The ambitious investment promotion zone in Hambantota will attract even more investors and generate significant employment opportunities. Already, people from other areas are beginning to move into Hambantota in search of greener pastures.

International harbour and airport

While the first phase of the Hambantota Sea Port is nearing conclusion, work on the International Airport in Mattala is well under way. What development it has seen so far bears ample testimony to the fact that Hambantota is emerging as a global commercial hub and leaves little room for skeptics to voice their counter-arguments.

A fully-fledged commercial hub

The Hambantota harbor which is expected to commence operations by the end of 2010 will pride itself on being one of the most strategically located ports in the world and herald a new era of prosperity for Hambantota. In parallel with these two mega development projects, a number of development programmes are under way to develop the electricity, communication, transport infrastructure in the region. Because the region itself is geographically so vast, there is enough room for further development or expansions. All these combined, predictably, by 2018, Hambantota will emerge a fully-fledged commercial hub.