Sri Lankan capital city to be developed as a cultural hub in South Asia

Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers has given approval to the government to develop capital Colombo as a performing and exhibition hub in South Asia, in order to attract more tourists.

Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Gayantha Karunathilake at the weekly media briefing on Wednesday said more than 2 million tourists have visited Sri Lanka in 2016 and 70 percent of them arrive with the purpose of recreation and 25 percent for visiting their relatives or friends.

He said although there is a potential in attracting tourists by Sri Lanka’s traditional cultural aspects only 1 percent of tourists arrive in Sri Lanka with religious and cultural aspects.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers of have approved a proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, to appoint a committee of senior officials to take necessary action for developing Colombo city as a performing and exhibition hub in South Asia for promoting domestic arts and cultural elements.