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Sri Lanka has become a world leader in destinations that guarantee traveller safety, Minister of Law & Order and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayaka said yesterday.
The Minister made this remark at a ceremony held at Independence Square in Colombo to hand over motorcycles and beach rover vehicles to the Tourist Police, as part of a proposal in Budget 2018.
A total of 18 trail motorbikes, two regular motorbikes, and four beach rovers were distributed among the Police Transport Division, and the tourist police outposts in Sigiriya, Arugambay, Anuradhapura, Negombo, Moragalla, Polonnaruwa, Passikudah, Narigama and Kandy.
Speaking at the event, Minister Ratnayaka said that the tourism industry has started to contribute to the national economy in a big way, and is now developing rapidly.
“When travellers pick their next destination, they give special consideration to the safety measures provided for tourists. It plays a part in deciding what country to go to,” he said, noting that Rs. 50 million has been obtained through the Budget to develop the Tourist Police. Tourism Minister Johan Amaratunga who also spoke at the event said that next a year further Rs. 50 million will be allocated to the Tourist Police, as the tourism industry is expanding to all parts of the country.
