SLITHM signs MoU with China’s CACTA to strengthen tourism and hospitality education

Friday, 12 June 2026 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration (CACTA) of China, marking a new chapter in bilateral cooperation to boost tourism and hospitality education, skills development and knowledge exchange between the two countries.

The MoU signing ceremony was held at the SLITHM Auditorium in the presence of distinguished guests, Government officials, academics, tourism industry representatives, and members of the Chinese delegation.

This landmark collaboration follows the recent approval granted by the Cabinet of Ministers, which authorised the SLITHM Director General of to sign the agreement on behalf of the institution. The partnership represents a major step forward in strengthening bilateral cooperation in tourism and hospitality education between Sri Lanka and China.

The ceremony was attended by Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe as the Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, he emphasised the importance of international partnerships in enhancing educational excellence, fostering innovation, and preparing future tourism professionals to meet global industry standards.

Special addresses were also delivered by SLITHM Chairman Dheera Hettiarachchi, and Director General Wasantha Manthripala, highlighting the strategic significance of the collaboration and the long-term benefits it will bring to both institutions and the wider tourism sector.

The partnership between SLITHM and CACTA is expected to create valuable opportunities in the areas of: academic and professional exchange programs, staff training and development initiatives, joint research and innovation projects, faculty capacity building, knowledge and best-practice sharing, tourism and hospitality curriculum enhancement and international exposure for students and academic staff.

The ceremony concluded with the official exchange of signed documents, reaffirming the commitment of both institutions to work together in building a stronger and more globally competitive tourism and hospitality workforce for the fut