A program has been initiated under the patronage of Minister of Tourism, Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga to promote Sri Lanka as a Covid safe country among tourists.  

Accordingly, a discussion (zoom) was held between the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga and the Sri Lankan Ambassadors and High Commissioners abroad.The government is paying more attention to vaccinating all citizens and as a result, it is hoped that the country will be fully open by September.With the success of the vaccination drive, the Ministry of Tourism aims to bring the tourism industry back to where it was before the Covid pandemic.Special relief packages are to be introduced to the tourists visiting the country and discussions have already commenced with the airlines in this regard, the Minister said.The Minister pointed out that the country is being prepared at the district level to welcome tourists to the country with Sri Lankan hospitality as usual.In line with the vaccination program, action will be taken to relax the health guidelines to be followed in collaboration with the health officials.The Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Development Authority have taken steps to identify around 6,000 new tourist attractions throughout the island and develop them as tourist destinations.The Minister said that with the Covid pandemic, tourism was restricted in all countries and his aim was to attract more tourists following the vaccination drive.The Minister pointed out that the assistance of Ambassadors is needed for the promotion campaigns abroad, as local and foreign promotions need to be expedited for that purpose.

The Minister further stated that the assistance of international media institutions, social media, bloggers as well as the relevant institutions in the field of tourism in the relevant country should be obtained to contribute to the development of the tourism industry in Sri Lanka by holding discussions with those institutions.The Ambassadors and High Commissioners briefed the Minister that all possible steps would be taken to promote Sri Lanka as a Covid free country.Mrs.Kimali Fernando, Chairperson of the Tourism Development Authority and Mrs. Dhammika Wijesinghe, Director of the Tourism Development Authority also participated in the discussion with the Sri Lankan Ambassadors to 150 countries.