Lanka's tourism sector grows by 43 percent

The country will achieve great success and significant growth in the tourism sector, Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said.The minister was addressing the weekly Cabinet briefing at the Information Department yesterday.

"The government has taken many steps to develop the tourism sector. As a result of these initiatives, Sri Lankan tourism sector has grown by 43 percent while other countries in Asia recoded only a five percent growth. In accordance with rapid development in the tourism sector, the government has targeted a massive economic activity through the tourism sector. By 2020, one out of every seven people will engage in tourism related fields," the deputy minister said.

During the last 12 months, several investors have invested over US $ 823 million in various projects in the tourism sector. After liberating the North from terrorism, the first tourist hotel in the East will commence operations by next week. Investors have put in US $ 5 million for this hotel project, Abeywardena said.

The government provide investors with all facilities."No more irregular tourist zones will be permitted in the future. Tourist locations such as Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna will be subjected to rapid changes to provide better facilities to tourists. Under this programme, Hikkaduwa will be declared as a tourist zone," he said.

Asked about the proposed pension scheme, the deputy minister said that the government would never implement any pension scheme which will harm the working community. It is obvious that some pessimistic politically motivated parties are opposing this proposal, he said.

Source = dailynews.lk