Colombo, Nov 6 (newsin.asia) – Sri Lanka will host the popular ‘World Surfing League’, ‘The Senior Golf European tour’ and IRONMAN 70.3 in the coming months to promote the destination as an international sporting hub, the government said on Monday.
During a joint news briefing held in Colombo, Tourism Minister John Amaratunga and Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said that the aim of the government was to promote Sri Lanka as a hub for international sporting events in order to attract more tourists.
Both Ministers said that as much as these events will attract more tourists, they will also broaden the horizon for local sports enthusiasts.
“While Sri Lanka is known as a cricketing nation, the country has hardly made use of its location in the map to develop as a sporting arena for other international sporting events,” Sports Minister Jayasekara said.
“This is a unique step taken by both ministries to work hand in hand towards one fundamental purpose. Therefore, this new concept is expected to expand global recognition which in turn will undoubtedly increase economic growth,” Tourism Minister Amaratunga said.
The Ministers said the events will comprise of activities on both water and land which will help introduce various picturesque locations in Sri Lanka to the world.