සංචාරක කර්මාන්තය ආශ්‍රිත සංගම්වල නියෝජිතයෝ ජනපති හමුවෙයි

Newswire reports that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake led a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat on the afternoon of October 28 to review proposals for the Ministry of Tourism’s 2027 budget. The discussion covered progress on tourism promotion projects, operational challenges and possible immediate responses. Newsfirst (සිංහල) also reports that a discussion on the ministry’s 2027 budget took place at the President’s office on October 28 under the President’s leadership.

Newswire reports that proposals included tourism development around Dutch ports in Jaffna, Mannar and Batticaloa, with the President stressing the need to protect historical heritage as projects proceed. Participants also considered marine tourism, funding arrangements to sustain projects begun the previous year, and improved port facilities for cruise tourism. Newswire reports that Anuradhapura, Mihintale and Kandy were discussed as destinations for Buddhist education and spiritual tourism.

Newswire reports that the budget meeting also addressed eco-tourism sites and progress on the Southern Mist project in the Southern and Sabaragamuwa provinces. Other topics included expanding ministry entrepreneurship education and training, creating tourism degree courses, strengthening Tourist Police services for visitor safety and assistance, and increasing domestic flights to support tourism in the Northern and Eastern provinces.

Newswire reports that the President separately met tourism industry association representatives on the morning of October 28 to discuss a national aim of earning US$10 billion in tourism revenue and attracting five million visitors by 2030. The meeting considered stronger domestic air services to Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Sigiriya and Jaffna. Newswire reports that participants noted 10 new international airlines had begun flying to Sri Lanka during the year and discussed increasing the number operating to 50.

Newswire reports that the industry meeting also considered using national parks to support tourism while protecting forest resources through laws and regulations, and reviewed ongoing international promotional campaigns. Participants discussed requiring tourist hotels and other accommodation providers to register with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, as well as rules for businesses operated by foreign nationals outside prescribed legal procedures. Newswire reports that attendees included Labour Minister and Deputy Finance and Planning Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando, presidential officials and tourism association representatives.