Key Measures to Strengthen the Country’s Tourism Industry
The Presidential Task Force on the Implementation of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Programme met this morning (26) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mr. Vijitha Herath.
Attention was drawn to the challenges faced by those engaged in the tourism industry in Sri Lanka in the context of the prevailing global energy crisis. Extensive discussions were also held on programmes to ensure an uninterrupted supply of fuel and to provide the necessary support to sustain and advance the industry.
Matters relating to tourist arrivals, the proper maintenance of hotels and tourist attractions and initiatives to attract visitors from countries unaffected by conflict were also taken into consideration.
The progress of the ongoing Beira Lake cleaning project was reviewed, while attention was also drawn to issues affecting the film tourism sector, with a view to identifying practical solutions.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ruwan Ranasinghe, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Economic Adviser to the President, Duminda Hulangamuwa, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, S. Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism , Aruni Ranaraja, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage, Director General of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Malkanthi Rajapaksa, senior government and security officials, Chairman/CEO of John Keells Group, Krishan Balendra, Chairman/Managing Director of Jetwing Travels, Shiromal Cooray and other key stakeholders in the tourism sector.
