Sri Lanka to boost EV infrastructure in tourist areas
The Morning: The Government is engaging in discussions with the private transport sector to facilitate the establishment of Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure in tourist areas, the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) reveals.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, SLSEA Director General J.M. Athula stated that it was essential that the Government intervened in collaboration with the private sector to ensure the development of EV infrastructure in the country.
He pointed out that there was a demand for EVs in the tourism industry and that the lack of adequate EV infrastructure, i.e. charging stations, in tourist areas was proving to be a bottleneck preventing EV adoption in the industry.
“If anyone is interested in establishing charging stations, we will support them. We need charging stations in areas such as Kataragama, Monaragala, and Ampara since the tourism industry is looking to adopt EVs. However, the industry is yet to adopt EVs because of the lack of charging stations in these areas,” he said.
He added that the Government was unable to implement such EV infrastructure by itself considering the number of financial resources that would need to be invested in.
Accordingly, he noted that the Government was looking to facilitate the process whereby the private sector would set up and maintain the required infrastructure.
Athula further revealed that several discussions had been held with the private transport sector, which had expressed an interest in investing in the development of EV infrastructure in Sri Lanka, with John Keells Holdings in particular having extensive plans in this regard.
With regard to the development of EV infrastructure in tourist areas, he noted that tourist authorities had expressed an interest in facilitating this.
Meanwhile, speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Deputy Director General Upali Ratnayake said that they were looking to work together with other Government agencies to develop EV infrastructure in tourist areas in tandem with the private sector.
Accordingly, he said that the SLTDA would provide the required support to facilitate and encourage the private sector in developing the requisite EV infrastructure.
He further stated that the development of this infrastructure was a vital initiative and must be implemented not only in tourist areas but along all routes.
Ratnayake also explained that while tourists may stay in tourist areas, the necessary EV infrastructure must be provided along the routes they travelled through as well.
“EV charging stations should provide some sort of resting facility so that customers can have some refreshments and use the restroom while they wait for the vehicle to charge. Such an arrangement would be a more practical way of implementing this,” he added.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic activities and the expanding economic expansion have resulted in the overall growth in business/investment opportunities in key economic sectors in the country, especially in the tourism and energy industries. The steady growth in the country’s tourism industry while presenting a host of business/investment opportunities in the industry has also resulted in many opportunities in many other sectors related to the tourism industry. The increase in the demand for power and energy as a result of the expanding tourism industry have presented many emerging business/investment opportunities, especially for foreign businesses/investors on the lookout for lucrative business ventures. With the Sri Lankan government’s commitment to increasing the use of sustainable energy sources and promoting EVs, especially in the tourism industry, there are opportunities in the development of infrastructure and supplementary infrastructure facilities required to meet the growing demand for new power and energy sources. Given that Sri Lanka is also promoting eco-tourism among others, foreign businesses/investors could explore the expanding business/investment opportunities in the power and energy sectors. Foreign businesses could also look at forming partnerships and joint ventures with local businesses with the aim of expanding operations.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20250312/Z_6 |