The government has decided to offer the 100 acre artificial island of the Hambantota harbour to private investors to be developed for tourism activates.

Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga who visited the harbour on a fact finding visit said that they would also negotiate with some of the investors who had already shown interest in this regard.

The Minister said that the revenue they receive from the Hambantota Port operations were not at all sufficient to make it a viable commercial venture. He also said that they would also offer the oil storage facility of the port to a highest bidder without any favoritism.

Communing on the third stage of the port he said that the government would go ahead with it only if they find investors. “Paying compensation to families affected with the development of the Port too would be a priority,” he said.