Bogambara Prison to return to tourism authorities soon – Dpy. Minister

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe said the Bogambara Prison premises in Kandy, which had been earmarked for tourism development, will be returned to the tourism authorities by next year.

He said the historic prison is currently being used temporarily to house inmates following a series of riots that took place recently.

“We will get back the Bogambara Prison premises soon and then it will be used for tourism development,” Prof. Ranasinghe said.

The previous Government had identified the Bogambara Prison premises for tourism development, and the property was subsequently earmarked for the Melwa Group to develop a Hilton hotel.

However, Prof. Ranasinghe said he was not aware of any such development taking place.

“We will call for a fresh RFP for this project as there are a lot of new investors who are keen,” he said.

The Bogambara Prison, one of Kandy’s historic landmarks, has long been identified as a potential tourism development site, with plans focusing on converting the former prison premises into a major tourism and commercial attraction.