It was only in 2009 that the long fight between the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ended with an estimated 100,000 people killed in a bloody dispute that began back in 1983.

The Sri Lankan city is currently bidding against Gold Coast in Australia for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, with the 71 Commonwealth nations and territories set to gather in St Kitts on November 11 at the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) General Assembly to vote on which city will host the event.

Sri Lanka currently face investigation for war crimes after the Australian Federal Police (AFP) received dossier from the International Commission of Jurists alleging that Sri Lankan authorities shelled innocent civilians during the civil war, but Cabraal has urged the 71 Commonwealth Games voters to take the event to Hambantota to help the country rebuild from the conflict.


"Of course a Hambantota Games will be a catalyst for domestic and international tourism growth across our Southern Province," said Cabraal, who serves as Hambantota 2018 bid co-chairman alongside the country's Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage (pictured left with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa).

"But we see the Games as a catalyst not just for sport and tourism but for sustainable economic, social and cultural development.

"As a unified nation we in Sri Lanka are on an exciting and progressive journey driven by our 10-year plan: 'Taking Sri Lanka to 2020'.

"Bidding for and hosting the Games in 2018 is an integral part of our journey."

The Hambantota 2018 bid leader also highlighted the fact that Sri Lanka is a major tourist destination to counter one of the biggest strengths of their 2018 rivals Gold Coast, a city that is one of Australia's main holiday centres.

Sri Lanka is currently undergoing an extensive programme of hotel construction and refurbishment as part of a long-term strategy to enhance and promote tourism in the country.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is targeting 13,400 visitor rooms across the Southern Province by 2016, two years ahead of the Games, with 1,400 rooms available within one kilometre of the future Games Park itself.

Three other accommodation clusters are within a 35-minute journey to the Park, while a Games Hotel Association (GHA) has been established to coordinate and manage hotel bookings for spectators.


"As a vacation destination Sri Lanka is a multifaceted jewel; nowhere else offers such variety," said Cabraal.

"From lazy lagoons, wetlands and rivers to beautiful mountains and waterfalls; rich national parks, jungles and ecosystems to sublime beaches and inspiring World Heritage Sites.

"We have it all.

"Where else in the world can you see the world's largest land and sea mammals on one visit, with whales close to the coast and elephants in their natural habitat?

"It is an amazing diversity for somewhere so compact and in 2018 we will offer visitors the very best of both worlds.

"The 'old' world charm, natural beauty, serenity and heritage that is inherent in our culture; coupled with the vibrancy and excitement of a 'new' city with iconic architecture and world class entertainment."

The announcement of the 2018 Commonwealth Games host city will be made by CGF President Mike Fennell of Jamaica at 6pm local time at the St Kitts Marriott Resort.

A live internet feed of the announcement will be available on the CGF's website here, while the 2011 CGF General Assembly will be the first time ever that an electronic vote has ever taken place to decide a Commonwealth Games host city.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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