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.
Towards economic prosperity
In his second term as the Head of State, President Mahinda Rajapaksa aims to drive Sri Lanka towards economic prosperity and foster ethnic harmony.
During the first term in office, under the leadership of the President, the Security Forces eradicated terrorism and brought peace to the entire country freeing the nation from LTTE terror. Even during a war situation when billions of rupees were allocated to finance the battle against terrorism, the Government continued to embark on many major development projects.
Time and again Sri Lanka has proved that we are a nation with a proud history with a rich culture and heritage which is second to none. As a nation, Sri Lanka will, by no means, compromise our culture, values or dignity.
Sri Lanka is moving towards new horizons and is gradually enjoying the benefits with the end of the war which ruined the country's economy. Since the Government embarked on many infrastructure development projects since 2006, Sri Lanka is has been the right track towards economic development.
The President will now use the fresh mandate he has obtained to re-establish all that was lost during the past 30 years due to the war. Sri Lanka which fell back due to the war needs to be advanced swiftly. Peace alone will not elevate Sri Lanka to economic prosperity. The President's target is to ensure that Sri Lanka's per capita income doubles to USD 4,000 within next few years.
Sri Lanka’s economy is now in good shape. Fortunately, Sri Lanka was not affected by the international economic and financial crisis. While the economy is open to the outside world, the capital account is prudently managed to cushion out any adverse effect resulting from fluctuations in the international markets.
The Central Bank of Sri lanka predicts the economy of Sri Lanka will grow by 6.5 percent this year and 7.5 percent in 2011. However, the economists at the HSBC estimate that the economy will grow by seven percent this year and 7.2 percent in 2011.
The tourism sector has shown promising growth and this may end up with almost 800,000 in-bound tourists whilst last year recorded only 450,000 tourist arrivals. Sri Lanka expects 2.5 million tourist arrivals by 2013 and many infrastructure development and investments are taking place in the hospitality and travel sectors.
Vibrant Stock market
The Colombo Stock exchange has shown positive results and currently, it is the most vibrant stock Exchange in the world. This is a historic period for the Sri Lankan investment community, since this is the first time in the history of the Colombo Stock Exchange that the All Share Price index closed above 4500 index level and Millanka price index crossed the 5000 barrier level for the first time in the history. Foreign participation has been at a very high level.
The World Bank forecasts "The short-term prospects for the Sri Lankan economy are positive, for several reasons,". In addition to an increase in private investment growth and private consumption, the Bank expects "continued robust public investments-for reconstruction in the north and for other large-scale infrastructure projects-will provide added impetus to growth in 2010."
News and Events
Sri Lanka optimistic as Commonwealth evaluators in Colombo
Commonwealth Games Evaluation Commission led by its Chairman Louis Martin and Commonwealth Games Chief Executive Mike Hooper will start a four day evaluating process in assessing Sri Lanka’s stand as a candidate city for the XXI Commonwealth Games to be held in 2018.
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Articles
Hambantota 2018 Commonwealth Games : Impressions of a foreign friend
With regard to Hambantota 2018 legacy plan, considering all what has been carried out so far and what will certainly be done in the months ahead, we selected seven letters to summarize implication and motivation of Sri Lankan authorities and Hambantota 2018 bid committee. Those seven letters are P.R.A.C.H.A.L. seven letters like the seven years ahead the d date. Those letters, according to us, represent Hambantota 2018 legacy plan and Sri Lankans’ motivation to host 2018 Commonwealth Games.
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