The meeting focused on addressing challenges and barriers in the tourism sector while reviewing plans and future actions aimed at promoting Sri Lanka as a sustainable tourism destination.
A key area of discussion was the proposal to establish a special tourism zone, the Southern Mist Corridor, integrating the Galle, Matara and Ratnapura districts. The proposed zone will connect the Southern and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, centred around the Sinharaja rainforest, the Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya forest complex and the Hiniduma mountain range.
The initiative aims to protect the region’s natural environment by introducing a regulatory framework to control unauthorised hotel construction and environmental degradation. Plans are also underway to promote tea tourism and eco-tourism within the zone. An integrated operations committee will be established to coordinate all aspects of the project.
The Task Force also reviewed plans for a Maritime Tourism Corridor proposed by Capital Marine and Civil Construction (CMC), to be implemented in three phases over a ten-year period. The first phase will focus on launching passenger ferry services centred on Jaffna in the Northern Province, with future expansion to Colombo and Galle.
Promoting film tourism was another major topic of discussion. The meeting reviewed progress on introducing a single-window approval system to facilitate filming permits for foreign film crews and examined measures to address practical issues related to the temporary importation of film equipment.
Attention was also given to promoting skydiving tourism around Koggala Airport through a joint initiative involving the Sri Lanka Air Force, the Civil Aviation Authority and tourism authorities.
Officials revealed that new guidelines for whale and dolphin watching have been finalised, alongside efforts to introduce a structured regulatory framework and an online registration system for operators.
The meeting further discussed the Marine Night programme conducted on weekends along Colombo’s Marine Drive to boost night-time tourism, as well as issues relating to tourist visas and visitor safety.
Among those attending were Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe; Members of Parliament Upul Kithsiri, T.K. Jayasundara and Lal Premanath; Presidential Secretary Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Senior Economic Adviser to the President Duminda Hulangamuwa; senior government officials; security sector representatives; and key tourism industry stakeholders, including John Keells Group Chairperson and CEO Krishan Balendra.
