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The Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Monday approved drafting a new legislation aimed at conserving and developing Matara, a Southern town, rich in historical, cultural, and natural heritage.
The proposed bill, titled ‘Matara Heritage and Development Act,’ seeks to safeguard the town’s underutilised assets, whilst positioning it as a key hub for tourism, economic growth, and employment generation.
“Matara has been recognised as a town with historical, cultural, and natural tourist probability that should be conserved for economic and employment benefits for Sri Lankan citizens. However, it is observed that the probabilities are underutilised,” Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.
Therefore, he stated that with the expectation of the development of the Matara town, conserving its heritage in a sustainable status, and modification of the town, it has been recognised that the formulation of an act related to Matara heritage and development is essential to accomplish the expectations.
The joint proposal to this effect, submitted by Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath along with Urban Development, Construction and Housing Minister Aruna Karunathilake, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
