The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), alongside the Ministry of Tourism and four other significant institutions, signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Colombo yesterday to bolster the tourism sector. The signing, which was led by the Minister of Tourism, Lands, Sports, and Youth Affairs, Mr. Harin Fernando, marks a strategic step in defining the future trajectory of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
The collaboration involves the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Buddhism, the Ministry of Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, and the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation. The SLTDA has committed 113 million rupees to execute the initiatives outlined in the agreements.
A key focus of these MoUs is the development of specialized paid health wards for tourists, a joint effort with the Ministry of Health to enhance the country’s tourism infrastructure and ensure the health protection of foreign visitors. Financial support will be provided to upgrade facilities in Dambulla, Bandarawela, Pothuvil, and Tissamaharama hospitals, with each receiving 20 million rupees for the establishment of comfortable paying ward facilities.
Additionally, an initiative with the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) will provide electric carts for tourist transportation in Sigiriya. Agreements with the Department of Coastal Conservation and the Department of Wildlife Conservation aim to improve sanitation and bathing facilities in key coastal and wildlife tourist zones, including Yala.
Another significant highlight was the ceremonial approval of the newly launched Tourist Vehicle Import Scheme. In April, the Cabinet approved the import of 750 electric and hybrid vans and 250 buses to meet the increasing demand for tourist transportation. The event saw the symbolic inauguration of the first 10 vehicle licenses related to this scheme.
Moreover, the SLTDA plans to announce the launch date of the Comprehensive Marine Tourism Roadmap, which will outline strategies for the development of Sri Lanka’s marine tourism, an essential component of the industry.
During the event, Minister Harin Fernando emphasized the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration for promoting the tourism sector. He stated, “We realized that the main issue in tourism was about facilities and working together with our line ministries was key to solving these issues. We are at a time when the industry needs more investment, where taking care of travelers should be a key priority.”
These MoUs represent a significant step towards enhanced cooperation, sustainable development, and strengthening of the tourism sector, aiming to enrich the overall experience of visitors to Sri Lanka.
Prominent attendees included Minister of Tourism and Lands Mr. Harin Fernando, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Culture Vidura Wickramanayake, SLTDA Chairman Palitha Fernando, Director General B.H.R. Sariffo Deen, Deputy Director General Upali Rathnayake, Secretary of the Ministry of Health Dr. Palitha Mahipala, and Secretary of the Ministry of Religious and Culture Somarathne Vidanapathirana.