– The Government has discussed ways to utilize Sri Lanka’s national parks to support tourism development while introducing laws and regulations to protect forest resources.The matter was taken up during a meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and tourism industry representatives at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (28).

The discussions focused on the potential of national parks and natural attractions to contribute to the growth of the tourism industry, while ensuring that forest resources are protected through appropriate legal safeguards.The meeting was part of broader efforts to develop Sri Lanka as a tourist destination and achieve the targets of attracting five million tourists and generating US$10 billion in tourism revenue by 2030.Other matters discussed included expanding international airline connections, improving domestic air travel to destinations such as Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Sigiriya and Jaffna, and reviewing international promotional campaigns.The meeting was attended by Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, tourism industry representatives and members of the task force established to promote tourism.

The President’s Media Division said the discussions covered a range of measures to strengthen the tourism sector.