Tourism Ministry powers to be decentralised

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

COLOMBO: Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda has decided to decentralise Ministry powers to the maximum to promote the industry. The Minister intends to get Provincial Councils and Divisional Secretariats involved to make plans and implement them according to the Government policy.

A Sub-Committee has been appointed to design new projects to suit the country. The Committee will discuss the new projects with the approval of the recently appointed Advisory Committee. The ministry is considering on local and foreign aid for these projects.

Moragoda had also taken a policy decision to find out places of historical,cultural and religious value which have not yet been recognised. He has instructed the authorities to discuss with the parties and before implementing the projects.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Ministry has set up a special unit to clarify various issues regarding relief measures declared by the Government to uplift the industry.

The relief measures were declared with the approval of the Finance Ministry after discussions with local and foreign intellectuals, private sector entrepreneurs and other parties.

The Ministry has informed small and medium entrepreneurs who want clarifications on tax relief to contact the Ministry’s Additional Secretary George Michael on 2387471 or to send letters to No. 6, Galle Road Colombo 3.

Under the relief measures, the Ministry has permitted to postpone repayment of loans given to repair hotels destroyed by the tsunami and a relief period will be given to pay the original amount.