Hon, Minister of Tourism, Prasanna Ranatunga says that Arugambay area will be gazetted as a tourism zone.

The Minister said this at a discussion held with those engaged in the field of tourism in Arugambay area yesterday (30).This gazette notification is due to be issued before August.Accordingly, the Ministry of Tourism and the Urban Development Authority are implementing 178 projects worth over Rs. 1000 million in connection with the Arugambay Tourism Zone which is being developed under a ten year development plan.

Speaking further the Minister said, “The Corona virus has had a major impact on the tourism industry. This is a worldwide situation and as a government we stand up for the people. The Ministry of Tourism has already held discussions with the Provincial Councils to launch projects worth Rs. 300 million in order to boost the tourism industry in the Eastern Province. Arugambay will be gazetted as a tourism zone in the next two months, before August.  Once a tourism zone is created, all activities are carried out with the approval of the Urban Development Authority and the Ministry of Tourism A.

“We discussed the problems of those engaged in the tourism industry.  Many reliefs have already been provided to those in the tourism sector.  We will continue to consider providing relief. Not only Arugambay, but also the surrounding areas such as Panama and Kumana are a great resource for tourism.  The Arugambay development project is being implemented on a ten year plan. There is only a temporary setback in the tourism sector.  With the success of the vaccination program, the tourism industry is once again having a good time.  Therefore, we need to be prepared to welcome tourists by improving facilities and systematically running tourist hotels etc. during these difficult times. Once this area becomes a tourist destination, it will move towards a rapid development" said the Minister.

State Minister, Hon. Wimalaweera Dissanayake, Hon. Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Member of Parliament and several others were also present on the occasion.