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Tuesday Nov 18, 2025
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Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe (right) and SLCB and SLITHM Chairman Dheera Hettiarachchi
Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe addressing the gathering
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) recently organised a progress review meeting on “Provincial Tourism Development and Coordination” on 17 October, at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo.
The meeting was attended by Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) and Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) Chairman Dheera Hettiarachchi along with governors and chief secretaries of provincial councils, senior Ministry officials, provincial council representatives, and donor agencies who also participated.
The discussions focused on strengthening coordination between the national and provincial levels to enhance tourism development across all provinces. Participants reviewed the progress of ongoing tourism initiatives, identified key challenges, and explored strategies for sustainable and inclusive tourism growth throughout the country.
During the session on the way forward with the provincial councils, a consultation was conducted on aligning provincial tourism development priorities with the national tourism policy and sustainability framework. The dialogue emphasised the need for a unified approach to planning, implementation, and monitoring of tourism activities to ensure consistency with national objectives.
Participants also discussed the promotion of lesser-known tourist attractions to diversify the tourism portfolio and create broader regional economic benefits. The importance of improving visitor facilities, introducing effective training and capacity development programs, and enhancing institutional coordination between the SLTDA and provincial councils was also highlighted.
The SLTDA assured its commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to promote balanced and sustainable tourism development across Sri Lanka, positioning the country as a leading destination offering authentic and regionally diverse experiences.
