Number of tourists to Jaffna on the rise
by Uditha KUMARASINGHE
Around 200,000 local and foreign tourits have visted Jaffna during
the last week due to the steps taken by the Government to eradicate
terrorism from the country.
This is the first time such an unprecedented number of tourists had
visited Jaffna via the A-9 road after 30 years owing to the moves taken
by the Government to restore peace in the North and the East, Tourism
Minister, Achala Jagoda told the Sunday Observer yesterday.
The Minister said a large number of local and foreign tourists had
visited key historic places in Jaffna last week including the Delft
Islands and the temples in Nagadeepa. Special boat services have been
commenced for the benefit of the tourists to vist Delft and Nagadeepa
islands.
The Tourism Ministry has already formulated a program to develop the
infrastructure facilities in the North and establish observation spots
in the North. Arrangements have also been made to establish three
Tourism Complexes in Jaffna, Mullitivu and Mannar districts with modern
facilities.
According to the Minister hundred-acre land plot will be reserved
from each district to set up these Tourism Complexes. The Government
will seek the assistance of investores to construct these tourism
complexes.
Minister Jagoda said tourist arrivals have recorded a remarkable
increase after the elimination of terrorism. Foreign tourists have shown
interest to visit Sri Lanka which is one of the best and safest tourist
destinations in the world.
Local and foreign visitors can now travel to any part of the
country," Jagoda said.
The Ministry of Tourism has decided to promote the tourism industry
this year under the theme "travel freely in a free Sri Lanka".
The Tourism Ministry has formulated plan to increase the present
number of tourist arrivals by five fold in 2016.
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