More attractions for tourists arriving after country re-opens

COLOMBO (News 1st): Measures have been taken to conserve and develop several places of tourist interest with the intention of promoting tourism in the country, the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religion, and Cultural Affairs Ministry has said, as quoted by the Department of Government Information. According to the Department of Government Information, the Central Cultural Fund earned an income between Rs. 10 million to Rs. 22 million daily, before the April 21st attacks, and it has reduced drastically in the aftermath of the attacks and the COVID-19 outbreak. These views were expressed at a media briefing organized by the Department of Government Information to inform the general public of the preparedness by the Central Cultural Fund for the tourists expected to visit the country after the pandemic diminishes and the lockdown is lifted. Plans are afoot to conserve and develop several places of tourist interest controlled by the Central Cultural Fund, so as to attract more tourism, the Government Information Department noted on Saturday (25). The development of Magulmadu Viharaya in the Ampara District, and the Diving Project along the Eastern and Southern sea belt will be of intense interest to enable tourists to visit the heritage of Sri Lanka are specific among the projects, Professor Kapila Gunawardana, the Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religion and Cultural Affairs Ministry said. Director-General of the Central Cultural Fund Professor Gamini Ranasinghe joining the discussion said a two-way road has been built for local and foreign visitors to the historical statue at Buduruwagala. A development project will be launched to reach the Buduruwagala Sacred site by boat across the Buduruwagala tank, which is expected to facilitate the visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings, Prof. Gamini Ranasinghe told the media briefing. In addition, plans are afoot to begin another project to enable visitors to pass through the Secret Door of the Fort Fredrick in Trincomalee and enjoy its beauty inside. The Civil Defence Force and Sri Lanka Army will assist in implementing this project. According to Professor Ranasinghe, conservation of the prehistoric sites at Alawala has also started. The required documents to obtain World Heritage status for the Ritigala Archaeological site are now being prepared, and they will be submitted to the relevant authorities very soon, the Director-General further added. Addressing the media briefing, Media Director of the Central Cultural Fund Lalith Udesha Madhubahnu said a program to sell books at discount prices has been launched on the sidelines of the Literature Month of September. Under this program, a number of books written on the subjects of history, archaeology, and architecture are sold online at concessionary prices. In addition, replicas manufactured by National Replica Center at Bataleeya and various other creations could be bought online. These items could be ordered through the official website of the Central Cultural Fund or dialing 077 487 4081 and 071 058 1723 or WhatsApp; arrangements have been made to deliver the items within four weekdays.