"They are very keen to set up a hotel project in between the Udamaththala international airport and Hambantota city," the newspaper quoted deputy economic development minister Lakshman Abeywardene as saying.
The airport is also being built with Chinese finance.
The newspaper citing a source close to the firm said CHEC may invest as much as 750 million dollars in a 'mixed development' project.
A mixed development can include a shopping mall and residential apartments in addition to only a hotel.