Colombo, April 5 (NIA) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet, on Wednesday, approved to develop capital Colombo as a performing and exhibition hub in South Asia, in order to attract more tourists.
Cabinet Spokesperson, Gayantha Karunathilleke told a media briefing here that more than 2 million tourists visited Sri Lanka in 2016 and 70 percent of them arrived with the purpose of recreation and 25 percent arrived to visit friends and family.
He said although there was potential in attracting tourists by highlighting Sri Lanka’s traditional culture, only 1 percent of tourists arrived in Sri Lanka with religious and cultural aspects.
Accordingly, following a proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, the cabinet approved to appoint a committee of senior officials for taking necessary action for developing Colombo city as a performing and exhibition hub in South Asia for promoting domestic arts and cultural elements.