Sigiriya Village to transform into cultural experience centre

Sigiriya Handicrafts Village set up in Kimbissa, Sigiriya 16 years ago is to be revamped through a proposed private public partnership to transform it to a cultural tourism experience destination while promoting handicraft industry in the area.

The village was set up in 2001 by the Ministry of Rural Economic affairs with a view of facilitating handicraftsmen in the Central Province by creating direct marketing opportunities through the tourism industry.

However the village has seen a steady decline in the number of visiting tourists since 2005 as it has failed to attract them with the existing features of traditional cultural shows and a handicrafts centre.

Sigiriya requires value addition beyond only visiting the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a note of recommendation sent to the Tourism Ministry Secretary by the Tourism Task Force pointed out adding that it should be developed as a destination of choice among local and foreign travelers.

International Creative Performances (Pvt) Ltd (ICP) has submitted a project proposal to improve the infrastructure and the management of the village under their public private partnership “Project Mandakini” (Galaxy / Milky way).

According to this proposal the ICP will have to invest a sum of over Rs.250 million while the Tourism Development Ministry and the National Crafts Council (NCC) will invest Rs. 61.5 million.

ICP will conduct cultural shows recreating the story of Sigiriya and will also showcase the history of Sigiriya in digital form.

It will work with the Ministry and NCC to provide an interactive tourism experience at the village and maintain a crafts training centre at the village to conduct short term handicrafts training programmes for tourists.

The Mandakini Cultural Centre Village will consist of a marketing centre for the sale of handicrafts.

Project Mandakini is a Public Private Partnership founded on an unsolicited proposal and it should be handled in accordance with the “Swiss Challenge” procurement method, a senior Finance Ministry official said adding that it should be approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) and the cabinet.

CCEM approval has also been requested for the ICP to enter into a 33 year lease agreement with the NCC for the purpose of providing the cultural tourism experience for tourists visiting Sigiriya.