Sri Lanka unveils South Asia’s tallest tower, funded by China

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka on Monday unveiled South Asia’s tallest tower, costing over $100 million, 80% of which has been funded by China under the controversial Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The 350-metre-tall 17-storey Lotus Tower, located in Colombo, comprises a TV tower, a hotel, a telecommunications museum, restaurants, auditorium and a mall. Local media reported that Sri Lanka and China signed the Lotus Tower agreement in 2012 to build the tower, with China National Electronics Import and Export Corporation being the general contractor. Though still under construction, President Sirisena decided to open the tower to public.