Hong Kong based Shangri-La hotels has looked at two sites including one close to a well-known wildlife reserve in southern Sri Lanka to site its second proposed hotel, an official at the Sri Lankan Tourism Authority said today.

Deputy Minister for economic development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene said visiting Shangri-La officials had examined a second site close to the Yala national park and nature reserve on the south eastern coast.

The Yala National Park is well renowned for its leopards and elephants. Shangri-La is also considering another location close to the new super port being built at Hambantota, on the island’s southern tip, he said.

The international hotel chain will select one of the two sites, Abeywardene said. The hotel group is expected to start work in three months on its first hotel in Sri Lanka, which is to be built on recently acquired state land close to the popular Galle Face Green promenade in the capital Colombo. Shangri-La Colombo will be the country’s first seven (7) star hotel property, which is to cost US$ 500 million, and is set to become the number one “luxury” hotel property in South Asia.

“Shangri-La plans to start work on their second hotel in Hambantota / Yala after starting the Colombo project,” Abeywardene said.

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