Sri Lanka aims to attract five million foreign tourists annually by 2030, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has announced.
Speaking at the launch of the Gampaha District Tourism Promotion Strategic Plan in Negombo, the Minister said ensuring tourist safety would be a key priority as the country expands its tourism industry.
Herath revealed plans to strengthen the Tourist Police by granting it wider powers through proposed legislative amendments and establishing a specialized structure distinct from the regular police service.
The government also intends to recruit additional officers to the Tourist Police.
The Minister emphasized that political and economic stability, along with a peaceful environment free from ethnic, religious and extremist conflicts, was essential to attracting more international visitors.
He said Sri Lanka’s tourism industry was recovering from the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic but required further efforts to achieve long-term stability.
Herath also stressed the importance of protecting Sri Lanka’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and hospitality alongside infrastructure development.
“If we fail to protect our country’s natural beauty and heritage, future generations may only be able to see them through images created by artificial intelligence,” he warned. (Newswire)
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