Explaining his involvement, Peiris said he assumed office as Foreign Minister on April 23, 2010, several months after the end of the civil war, at a time when Sri Lanka was facing considerable economic challenges and seeking to attract foreign investment.
He said representatives of the internationally renowned Shangri-La hotel chain had expressed interest in establishing a hotel in Sri Lanka and contacted the government to discuss a possible visit.
Peiris said he referred the proposal to then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, as he believed the matter required approval at the highest level.
According to Peiris, Rajapaksa welcomed the initiative and instructed him to encourage the investors to visit Sri Lanka, citing the improved security situation following the end of the war.
The former minister also noted that promoting tourism was among the responsibilities assigned to him through an extraordinary Gazette notification issued after he assumed office.
He said the government supported the proposed investment because it was expected to attract high-spending international tourists and boost confidence among foreign investors.
Peiris further argued that Shangri-La’s entry into Sri Lanka helped encourage other international hotel operators to invest in the country. He cited subsequent developments, including the ITC Ratnadipa Hotel in Colombo, as examples of the growth of the hospitality sector.
He added that Colombo had undergone substantial development since 2010, with the construction of new hotels, roads and other infrastructure.
Peiris stressed that he had not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with the investment.
He said CIABOC had summoned him to obtain information about the circumstances surrounding the investment and the government’s role in facilitating the project at the time.
