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Sri Lanka's 'Lotus Tower', the tallest in South Asia, opens for public viewing [details]
The 'Lotus Tower' has emerged as a powerful symbol of the ousted Rajapaksa clan's closeness to China.
TN World Desk
Updated Sep 15, 2022, 23:51 IST
Lotus Tower and Beira Lake in Colombo
Photo : iStock
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- China's debt has been cited as one of the reasons for Sri Lanka's current economic crisis
- More than 10 per cent of Sri Lanka's USD 51 billion in external borrowings that it declared in April it would default on are from Beijing
- Colombo Lotus Tower Management Company decided to open 'Lotus Tower' in a bid to minimise losses
Colombo: Sri Lanka's 350-metre 'Lotus Tower', built at a cost of USD 113 million, opened for visitors on Thursday in central Colombo.
The huge green and purple communications tower is often referred to as a Chinese-built "white elephant".
A number of 'white elephant' projects were built with Chinese loans under Mahinda Rajapaksa, the brother of ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled in July following months of protests over Sri Lanka's dire economic situation.
South Asia's tallest structure has been constructed at a cost of USD 113 million with 80 per cent of the funding coming from the Chinese Exim Bank.
Since its construction began in 2012, corruption claims have plagued it.
"The tower is now open for the public and visitors are allowed into the observation deck and a revolving restaurant," said Prasad Samarasinghe, the CEO of the state-owned management company.
One will be able to enjoy 20 minutes of sightseeing on the 29th-floor observation deck with a 200 rupees ticket. There are still many functions and activities not fully functional on the tower.
"It will take at least three more months for the tower to become fully functional," said Samarasinghe.
Diners can enjoy a 360-degree view of Colombo city from the revolving restaurant on the 27th floor, powered by roller-based technology.
Potential business partners will be able to rent the tower premises for trade and services.
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