News
Earnings from tourism up in February
Sri Lanka had earned USD 169.9 million from foreign holidaymakers in February, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said, adding that the earnings have increased from 169.4 million dollars recorded in the corresponding month in 2022.
Over 210,000 tourists arrived in Sri Lanka in the first two months of 2023.
The minister said USD 331.7 million had been earned in the first two months with 102,545 arrivals in January and 107,639 in February.
Tourist arrivals for the year until March 08 stood at 234,547; that was an increase of 9.6 percent compared to last year, he said.
The Russian Federation, India and Germany are Sri Lanka’s top three source markets for tourists so far in March, according to the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) data.
China is the eighth biggest source market for March so far and that this is a very heartening development, the TDA has said.
Tourism, one of Sri Lanka’s leading foreign exchange earners, suffered a severe setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic and political crises in the country.
The country plans to attract around 1.5 million tourists in 2023 and three million in 2024. (RK)
Prime Munister Dr Harini Amarasuriya returned to the island this (23rd) morning after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland,
The Sri Lanka Navy successfully conducted a diving operation on 19 Jan 26 to inspect and restore the sluice gate of the Bomburuella Reservoir.
Acting on a request from the Department of Irrigation, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed a specialized diving team from the Western Naval Command, for the urgent requirement.
Through concerted effort, the Navy divers successfully cleared accumulated debris, including a significant quantity of wooden fragments, which had impeded the sluice gate mechanism.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya held a series of high-level bilateral meetings on Wednesday [January 21] on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, engaging with representatives of the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme, and the global private sector.
The Prime Minister met with Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management. During the meeting, she expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the support extended by the European Union and its member states following Cyclone Ditwa. The Prime Minister also briefed the Commissioner on the key findings of the World Bank’s GRADE report and requested continued EU support for Sri Lanka’s development and recovery efforts.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Alexander De Croo, representing the United Nations Development Programme. She expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and the United Nations and acknowledged the UN’s support in flood relief and livelihood assistance. The Prime Minister noted that, following the mandate received at the parliamentary election, the government is focused on meeting public expectations through national rebuilding grounded in public trust and good governance. She further reaffirmed the Government of Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening social protection systems and safeguarding vulnerable communities.
In addition, the Prime Minister met with Robert M. Uggla, Chairman of A.P. Moller Holding. The discussion focused on engagement with the private sector and potential areas of collaboration.
These meetings reflected Sri Lanka’s continued engagement with international partners and global stakeholders to support recovery, development, and long-term economic stability.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
PM returns to the island
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