Colombo Lotus Tower Project Contract Signing Ceremony

20 01 2012 - 16:00 PM

The Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) is engaged in planning the construction of a Multi - functional Telecommunication Tower and an Entertainment Centre, named as Colombo Lotus Tower, at the Beira Lake Waterfront in Colombo. The project has been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. Plans are underway to have the foundation stone laying ceremony take place on 20th January 2012.

The proposed Tower will be constructed on a plot of land having an approximate extent of 3.06 hectares, and it will be situated between the Eastern Beira Lake and D.R. WijewardeneMawatha. Total height of the tower is 350 meters. It is destined to be a striking city symbol and an important landmark by being the tallest Tower in South Asia. It will be a free -standing tower with a four-storey high podium; a concrete tower shaft of moderate diameter; eight storied tower head; and a steel framed antennae mast surmounted at the top.

The Tower will provide for Telecommunication and Leisure activities, and will facilitate the relaying of at least 50 separate broadcasting and telecasting services; provide facilities for about 20 service providers in telecommunication; and relaying of defence signals, and in addition indirectly contribute to the riddance and removal of high power TV & FM antennas innumerably located at various buildings in the Colombo City.

Apart from facilities related to multi - functional telecommunication activities, the tower podium will also accommodate a telecommunication museum, food courts; administrative offices; exhibition spaces and corresponding amenities.
The Tower shaft will be a hollow concrete cylinder accommodating high-speed lifts and stairs for vertical circulations, and ducts for various types of building services.

The Tower head will comprise of eight floor levels accommodating an Observation Deck; Revolving Restaurant; Banquet Hall for 1000 guests; and, two floors of super luxury hotel accommodation along with facilities for building services, which will include fire detection, fire fighting, overhead storage tanks and telecommunication instruments/ equipment etc.

The tower mast, surmounted on the tower head will provide a base for antennas of service providers in telecommunication, telecasting, broadcasting, and defence related transmissions etc. The Antennas will be installed at a height of between 250 and 350 meters above ground level, and they will cater to a range of different frequencies.

The TRCSL will finance and implement the project, with technical assistance obtained from the Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa. A Team of Consultants led by Emeritus Professor Nimal de Silva, Professor SamitaManawadu and Prof. ChitraWeddikkara of the Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa have provided professional advice on design, cost planning and cost control of the project. The cost of the Project is US $ 104 .3 Million.

A Chinese conglomerate comprising China National Electronics Import and Export Corporation (CEIEC) and Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co. Ltd (ALIT) will complete the project on a Turnkey Basis, using the concept and preliminary design drawn by local architects.
The Signing Ceremony of the Construction Contract between TRCSL and the Chinese conglomerate will be held on Tuesday 03rd January 2012 at the premises of the TRCSL. A party of 13 Chinese high ranking officials including Mr. GuoZhaoping (President, ALIT), Mr. Chen Xu (President, CEIEC), and Mr. Lin Changhai (Chief Designer) among others, and Mr. LalithWeeratunga (Chairman, TRCSL and Secretary to His Excellency the President) will be in attendance at the Signing Ceremony.