• Presents first 10 vehicle import permits to tourism industry

By Nuzla Rizkiya

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) together with the Tourism Ministry yesterday signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with four key stakeholder agencies, to further strengthen the recovering tourism sector.

The MoUs were inked with the Central Cultural Fund (CCF), Coast Conservation Department, Health Ministry and Wildlife Conservation Department. The objective is to iron out the urgent issues prevailing in the tourism sector and improving facilities for international travellers.

The SLTDA has allocated Rs.113 million to roll out the initiatives under the agreements. 

Accordingly, the Health Ministry will receive Rs.80 million to develop specialised paying health wards for tourists, while the CCF, Coast Conservation Department and Wildlife Conservation Department will receive a total of Rs.24 million to upgrade the sanitary and shower facilities in identified destination areas, including Sigiriya, Yala and Horton Plains. 

Noting that the present time offers “the lowest hanging fruit for the tourism sector”, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando stressed that it is crucial that the industry focuses on inter-ministerial connections and collaborative efforts.

“We realised that the main issue in tourism was about facilities and working together with our line ministries was key to addressing these issues. We are at a time when we need more investment in the industry and looking after tourists should be a key priority,” Fernando said.

In addition to signing the MoUs, the Tourism Ministry also presented the first 10 vehicle permits for the tourism industry, which is part of a larger initiative to import 1,000 new vehicles this year.  

In April, the Cabinet approved the import of 750 vans, both electric and hybrid, along with 250 buses, to meet the increasing demand for elevated transportation facilities by high-end tourists.