Government prepared to promote tourism

Minister Maithripala Sirisena has said that the Government is prepared to promote tourism while protecting the environment.

The Minister stressed that the conservation of environment is a duty of the people. He said that through the conservation of environment people’s lives are conserved. The tourism industry consists of local as well as foreign tourists. He said that in making plans to develop the tourism industry, the government has to consider what attracts the local tourists and what the foreign tourists expect. He said that the Ministry has granted the money to be used at this stage which is a step towards conservation of natural resources in protecting the environment.

The Minister expressed this view at a function to develop the natural fountain at Hingurakgoda in Polonnaruwa as a tourism destination. The Ministry is spending 3.8 million rupees for the programme. Tourists are expected to be drawn to the fountain which has a continuous flow of water even during drought seasons.