The Ministry of Economic Development has taken measures to bring about many changes to make the booming tourism industry a main sphere in the economy of Sri Lanka. Cabinet approval has already been granted to integrate several institutions in the tourism industry and establish one authority.

A special programme is scheduled to be started to improve the knowledge of Chinese, Japanese and Russian and also to make way for vocational training in the tourism industry, with the purpose of filling the future vacancies in the tourism industry. This was revealed by Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Development P.B. Jayasundara at Temple Trees on September 1, while presenting the Active Plan of the Ministry for the years 2011-2015 in tandem with the 2012 Budget.

A significant progress is visible in the tourism industry, and the number of tourists who have visited Sri Lanka in 2010 is at a record level of 654476. This is expected to exceed 700000 this year.

Accordingly, by 2015, the capacity of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry needs to be expanded up to 15000 hotel rooms, and plans are underway to develop every aspect including infrastructure facilities in this regard, the Secretary added.

Internationally renowned tourist hotels are being established in the country. Measures have already been taken to develop botanical gardens and zoos while plans are underway to develop centres of tourist attraction such as Pasikuda, Kalpitiya, Kuchchaveli, Negombo, Yala, Kandy, Bentota and Hikkaduwa.

The Government intends to win the challenge of attracting tourists as many as 5 million annually.