Ravi K promises open sky policy in 2016 Budget

By Charumini de Silva

In a bid to ensure Sri Lanka tourism and aviation achieves greater heights, the Government is considering the implementation of an open sky policy.

“I can assure you that this open sky policy will soon come into place. You will see the reflections of that open sky policies in the next Budget,” Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake told a forum of South Asian investors in Colombo last week.

The Government will look at easily connecting everyone and make the country a regional hub not only for SAARC countries but to the Asian region as a whole.

The Minister made these remarks at the closing ceremony of SAARC Investment Forum, organised by SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) held in Colombo.

Noting that tourism is a lucrative sector, he said that it was critical to develop the industry. “We are a new Government and all I can do on behalf of the Government as the Finance Minister is to motivate all of you to intensify your investments and we will make sure that Sri Lanka is the best place to do business, and the best place to do tourism.”