News Line

    Go to Home Back
Email this to a friend
Printable version
Thursday, December 30, 2010 - 05.36 GMT

Record number of visitors to Jaffna

 

A record number of visitors from the south has arrived in Jaffna within this year, statistics show.

The total number of people who entered Jaffna via Elephant Pass is reported to be approximately 3 million this year. The number includes a majority of pilgrims, Ministers and Parliamentarians, investors, Sri Lankan expatriates living abroad, vendors, diplomatic missions, and government and private sector officials. Entry has become remarkably higher with the commencement of the December school vacation. It reportedly amounts to 200,000. Usually Jaffna receives the highest number of visitors during school vacations.

The Jaffna-based business community, fishermen and farmers see the sale of their products go up with the influx of travelers. A big demand could be seen especially for Palmyra products such as Palmyra-related handicraft, jaggery and traditional food. In the meantime, Jaffna dwellers earn a handsome income by renting out houses to outsiders for accommodation. They earn from around Rs.3000/= to Rs.5000/= or more per night through accommodating pilgrims.

The government with the coordination of Security Forces – Jaffna and Civil administrative authorities has launched many projects to develop the places of tourist interest. The commencement of the reconstruction of the historical Jaffna Fort, the completion of 2½ km long Mullai-Karainagar causeway, improving the Karainagar-Kayts ferry service and the development of the road to picturesque beach of Casurina in Karainagar are among such development activities undertaken by the government.


 
 
                   

 
   
   
   
   
   

top

   

Contact Information:: Send mail to priu@presidentsoffice.lk with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: December 30, 2010.

Copyright © 2008 Policy Research & Information Unit of the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved.