President Ranil Wickremesinghe unveiled ambitious plans to elevate Colombo into a prominent tourist destination, signaling a transformative phase for the city’s development. These plans encompass relocating significant landmarks such as the President’s House to the Madiwela area within the coming decade. Wickremesinghe’s vision extends to leveraging key sites like Republic Square, Navy Headquarters, Old Jetty, Customs House, and the General Post Office to anchor the emerging Colombo Tourist City. The inauguration of the luxurious ITC Ratnadipa Hotel, positioned near Galle Face Green and marking the ITC Hotel Group’s first venture outside India, underscores Colombo’s evolving tourism landscape and economic potential, which Wickremesinghe believes will be instrumental in rejuvenating the nation’s economy.
With Colombo already hosting a diverse array of city hotels, including representations from India and Singapore, and with upcoming projects like the Cinnamon Life development on the horizon, Wickremesinghe envisions a bustling tourist hub rich in hotel industry heritage. The ITC Ratnadipa Hotel serves as a tangible symbol of Colombo’s burgeoning tourism sector and economic prospects, symbolizing a significant shift towards enhanced development and progress in the city’s overall landscape.