Advisory Committee to promote tourism between Sri Lanka, Buddhist
countries
Nadira Gunatilleke and Manjula Fernando
COLOMBO: The Government has already made arrangements to upgrade the
tourism industry. Under these arrangements, an Advisory Committee
consisting of 27 Bhikkhus representing all three Nikayas has been
appointed with the intention of promoting tourism between Sri Lanka and
other Buddhist countries, Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said.
Addressing the weekly press briefing at the Government Information
Department auditorium yesterday Minister Abeywardena said that steps
will be taken to promote tourism focusing on historical Buddhist
shrines. Ties between China and Sri Lanka have been strengthened after
President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s recent visit to China.
Arrangements have also been made to enter into an agreement with the
Maldivian Government to act as one country when taking decisions related
to the tourism industry.
An agreement had been signed with Israel to get more tourists. All
citizens of Israel go abroad during their vacation, received just after
compulsory military training and earlier they were spending their
holidays in Thailand and other countries.
Under this agreement, they will also select Sri Lanka to spend their
holidays. This will also attract more tourists to Sri Lanka.
Minister Abeywardena also pointed out that there is a 19 per cent
increase in the number of tourists visiting Sri Lanka from the
Middle-East and this will be increased up to 25 per cent within the next
few months.
France and the Netherlands have already relaxed their travel
advisories pertaining to Sri Lanka. |