Provincial tourism facilities to be developed

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

COLOMBO: Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda will hold discussions once in every three months with all Provincial Council Chief Ministers to upgrade the tourism industry.

Addressing chief ministers at the inaugural discussion in Colombo on Wednesday, he said the foundation of tourism industry is based on Provincial and Urban Councils, Pradeshiya Sabhas and local tourists and it is through them that the country could take the message around the world.

“Therefore all relevant parties should come to a common agreement and go forward in a practical manner,” Moragoda said.

Uva Chief Minister Vijithamuni Soysa said it was for the first time that the Chief Ministers got an opportunity to discuss with the minister and hoped it would give fruitful results.

Referring to the untouched resources in his area, Soysa said a large number of local and foreign tourists come to Nuwara Eliya but facilities are not sufficient. He pointed out that if the government can give some under utilised lands in Haputale, Bandarawela and Ella areas to build hotels it is not difficult to create a tourism village which will benefit the country.

The Chief Minister said the lack of co-ordination between the Central Government and the Provincial Council has weakened the progress of various projects.

He pointed out that the report for a Cable Car Project upto Idalgashinna was completed long ago but they have not been able to release the imported cable cars from the port.

Soysa also insisted the necessity of a tourist police and an information centre, a heli pad and train service with observation cars upto Badulla from Idalgashinna for the Uva Province.

He said the Government had to pay Rs 150 million for the Hotel School constructed in Badulla two years ago, but there is no productivity from that school up to now.

Chief ministers of Central Province, Western Province and Southern Province also spoke about their plans for their areas and difficulties faced in developing the tourism industry.