COLOMBO, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka and China, on Thursday launched the construction of a mega luxury mall complex in the heart of Colombo which will transform the island's capital into an attractive shopping destination in South Asia.

Odel, owned by Softlogic Holdings Limited, will fund the construction of the new Odel Mall, which will be constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC).

The mall will be constructed over 645,000 square feet and will be dubbed as a 'green boulevard', as it showcases a sky garden and several other environmentally friendly features.

Group General Manager of Softlogic, Channa Caldera, speaking at the inauguration of the construction ceremony, said this mall will consist of high quality facilities and will include a five storeyed basement, which will be the first of its sort constructed for commercial purposes.

General Manager of CSCEC Sri Lanka Branch, Zhang Xiaofu said the Odel mall will have over 20 stores which will feature the latest local and international brands and will emerge as a new landmark in Colombo.

The new Odel Mall will include fine dining restaurants, one of the largest multiplex cinema's in the country, 39 premium apartments and a sky garden.

CSCEC said it will complete construction by 2020.