Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa has said the government has received the approval to set up two five-star hotels in Gampaha, one in Negombo, four in Beruwala, two in Jaffna, seven each in Batticaloa and Trincomalee, and one in Nuwara Eliya.

He has told the media that the government was also looking at creating a tourist zone linking Katunayake, Gampaha and Negombo in the Western Province.

According to the Minister, leading international hotels are to be invited to invest and build hotels in Sri Lanka to provide a wide range of choices for the discerning tourist.

He has emphasized that Sri Lanka has to attract the investors before they go to other countries.