Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2011-08-03

Formulation of a Combined Programme for the promotion of Tourism in Sri Lanka

? the tourist industry in Sri Lanka which earned around US$ 500 million in foreign exchange in 2010 is gradually forging ahead in an accelerated manner and it is intended to attract tourists to the tune of about 2.5 million by 2016. A trend of heavy increase in the number of tourists visiting Sri Lanka in view of the present peaceful environment is noted and Sri Lanka is internationally accepted as an highly attractive tourist destination. The proposal made by Hon. Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development, to promote Sri Lanka with a single identity in the international market with all relevant public and private agencies jointly launching a combined programme capable of building a sustainable single image of Sri Lanka was approved by the Cabinet.