Standing a massive 350 metres tall on the banks of the beautified Beira Lake, the Lotus tower would definitely make this paradise isle more stunning. This, the world’s nineteenth tallest building started its construction work last week. This multi-functional tele communication tower and Entertainment Centre is the brainchild of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
This tower started its construction on an auspicious moment on Friday (January 20) by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and is built under the auspices of the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) of Sri Lanka on a 3.06 hactares of land at the Beira Lake waterfront and alongside the D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha. “This will be an important landmark building being the tallest in South Asia when completed,” said Director General of TRC Anusha Palpita explaining about this striking city symbol under construction. This will be a free standing tower with a four storey high podium; a concrete tower shaft of moderate diameter, eight storeyed tower head and a steel framed antennae mast surmounted at the top.
Indigenous design
The lotus is a local design which is a key symbol deep rooted in the Sri Lankan culture. The concept and preliminary design is by local architects. The Faculty of Architecture of the University of Moratuwa provides the indigenous technical and architectural expertise. A team of consultants led by Emeritus Professor Nimal de Silva, Professor Samita Manawadu and Professor Chitra Weddikkara of the Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa provides professional advice on this mega project.
The construction of the multi-functional Telecommunication Tower and an Entertainment Centre will cost approximately 104 million US dollars. The mega project is funded through the EXIM Bank of the People’s Republic of China.The Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Director General of the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka Anusha Palpita, Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Karunaratne Amunugama and several high ranking officials from relevant local institutes attended the signing ceremony.
A Chinese conglomerate comprising China National Electronics Import and Export Corporation (CEIEC) and Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co. Ltd will be completing the project on a turnkey basis.
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