Supporting Accelerated Investment in Sri Lanka (SAIL) Project Investor Handbook

It covers the entire approval process, from the initial pre-application meeting with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority's Investor Relations Unit to the final license needed to operate a business. The Handbook provides design ideas based on Sri Lanka's iconic architectural tradition, unique cultural heritage, and rich natural resources. It also allows investors to maximize their investment and minimize their impact on the environment by integrating ideas for energy-efficient buildings and sustainable operations. The Investor Handbook is designed to help people and companies that have already made the decision to invest or are interested in investing in tourism businesses in Sri Lanka. The Handbook is a helpful guidebook for both local and international investors, primarily focusing on the process for tourism projects requiring construction, such as resorts or small guest houses. However, those starting an adventure park, opening a surf shop, or conducting any other tourism business will also find helpful information. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority's Investor Relations Unit (IRU) is the personal guide to the investment process, providing reliability and reduced processing time, saving investors time and money on the way to a successful project. The IRU facilitates compliance with all regulatory requirements of the country, eligibility for financial loan facilities given by the banks, and visa recommendations during the approval/construction/implementation period. The Investor Handbook covers the following stages of the approval process: pre-application considerations, preliminary clearance, pre-development permit, environmental approvals, and development permit. The Handbook provides detailed information on each stage, including the necessary documents, fees, and timelines. Pre-application considerations include land, company incorporation, bringing money into the country, and immigration/visas. The preliminary clearance process involves a pre-application meeting, common application form, administrative and processing fees, site inspection, scoping committee meeting, and issuance of the preliminary clearance (PC). The pre-development permit stage involves getting ready for the development permit, environmental approval process, archeological impact assessment, and SLTDA review of architectural drawings. Environmental approvals are necessary to protect the environment and ensure that the project does not harm the natural resources of Sri Lanka. The development permit stage involves the Urban Development Authority, local authorities, and final approval. The Handbook provides detailed information on each stage, including the necessary documents, fees, and timelines, to ensure that investors have a clear understanding of the approval process and can navigate it successfully. Overall, the Investor Handbook is a valuable resource for tourism investors in Sri Lanka, providing a comprehensive guide to the approval process and facilitating compliance with regulatory requirements.