The Ambuluwawa Religious and Biodiversity Complex is set for a major infrastructure upgrade with the introduction of Sri Lanka’s first cable car system. The 1.5 km նախագ featuring nine towers aims to improve accessibility, reduce travel time, and increase foreign tourist arrivals from the current 8% to an estimated 10–15%, further strengthening its role as a key tourism and economic hub in the Kandy District.
The project, valued at over Rs. 5 billion (US$ 12.75 million), is being developed under a Build-Operate-Transfer model by an international consortium led by Amber Adventures. The first phase involves an investment of US$ 4.25 million, and the fully completed system will be handed over to the Sri Lankan government after a 13-year operational period. The development is expected to significantly boost tourism, local employment, and regional economic activity.
However, the project has faced challenges due to regulatory intervention by the Central Environmental Authority following concerns about potential landslide risks. This led to a temporary suspension of construction and raised investor concerns. Although the National Building Research Organisation later confirmed site stability, the situation highlights ongoing issues related to regulatory processes and investor confidence.
Despite these setbacks, the complex has shown strong financial growth, with revenue increasing 21-fold between 2019 and 2024 and assets rising from Rs. 372 million to Rs. 1.4 billion. Alongside infrastructure expansion, new developments such as an international meditation Justify and the Niyangoda Vijithasiri International Library were launched, reinforcing the site’s commitment to tourism, education, and sustainable development.
