Govt to expedite tourism projects

by Ranil Wijayapala and Manjula Fernando

The Government has decided to expedite the tourism development projects in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster, urging relevant authorities to respond to the respective tourism project proposals within four weeks period after the submission of proposals, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said yesterday.

"The Sri Lanka Tourist Board will give approval for projects to go ahead if the relevant authorities fail to respond to these proposals within four weeks assuming that the project has been approved," he added. The decision is to exert more pressures on the relevant authorities to expedite the process of granting approval for tourism projects, he added.

Institutes like the Central Environment Authority, Forest Conservation Department, Wild Life Department, Urban Development Authority, Archaeological Department and Pradeshiya Sabhas are involved in the process of approval for tourism projects.

"These institutes should respond to these proposals within four weeks after the submission of proposals if they need more time to examine them," he said.

"Otherwise the Tourism Ministry can give approval for these projects assuming the relevant authority has given its approval," the Minister added.

The Government has taken this decision to avoid unnecessary delays in granting approval for these projects and expedite their implementation, Minister de Silva added.