The Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Tourism

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I thank the Opposition Member who supported the Motion presented by the Hon. Member for Galle District.

¶ 02 For over seven decades we treated tourism largely as a commercial industry but failed to sufficiently diversify our products. As the Opposition Member said, we have relied on beaches, Yala, and Sigiriya, without creating and promoting new experiences to gain competitive advantage.

¶ 03 Countries competing with us—Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand—share tropical ecosystems, wildlife, and coasts, yet they have succeeded in marketing strong products. We face a challenging industry. As noted, Dedduwa lands were acquired long ago; some have been encroached upon using political influence. We must regularize this. Two weeks ago, we discussed with a German investor a major project aligned to today’s global demand for facilities for senior living, healthcare, and recreation in the Dedduwa area.

¶ 04 We have underperformed in creating experiential products beyond the traditional circuit. However, in the last two years we developed an excellent experience—the 320 km Pekoe Trail, divided into 22 stages. Last month, Time magazine ranked it among the world’s top 10 travel experiences. This is a rare example of creating something new beyond our classic destinations.

¶ 05 We must leverage our natural assets to craft experiences. The proposed area is a sensitive ecosystem with endemic flora and fauna. Like our national parks—Yala, Wilpattu, Wasgamuwa—and other sites, we can develop new experiences. We should also develop wreck diving: we have a 2nd-century BCE shipwreck and the world’s first purpose-built aircraft carrier off our coast—an underwater museum and graveyard ripe for experiential tourism.

¶ 06 We are also developing the Kurundu (Cinnamon) Trail centered on the South, in discussion with the Asian Development Bank; and a Red Rice Trail linked to the Rajarata region and ancient cascade irrigation, for which we have initiated work with the World Bank.

¶ 07 These initiatives aim to deliver distinctive experiences around our forests and wildlife, communities, culture, heritage, seas, aquatic resources, and recreation. Hon. T.K. Jayasundara proposes to develop a tourism experience-based zone centered on Pitigala, Udugama, Neluwa, and Deniyaya. We have already begun a process centered on Deniyaya to create a tourism zone delivering curated experiences. This Motion seeks to include more areas.

¶ 08 I consulted the Development Division of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). Their response:

¶ 09 “Given Deniyaya’s unique natural heritage, SLTDA has already identified it as suitable for development as an attractive tourism destination delivering unique experiences. Due to its linkage to the Sinharaja Reserve and other rainforests with significant biodiversity, endemic flora and fauna, rare ecosystems, and varied tourism resources, Deniyaya is already on the internal list to be proclaimed as a tourism zone in the near future.

¶ 10 However, under Section 26(2) of the Tourism Act, No. 38 of 2005, to officially declare a Tourism Development Area/Zone by Gazette, a defined process must be followed. As part of this, SLTDA expects to provide prior notice and conduct public consultations with residents and key stakeholders. Before that, SLTDA will organize a stakeholder advisory meeting to clearly identify and determine boundaries for the proposed zone and may discuss including other proposed areas like Pitigala, Udugama, and Neluwa. This meeting will obtain stakeholder feedback, clarify objectives, and integrate inputs into the planning process. After consultations and a public notice, the area will proceed for Gazette notification. Evidence-based assessment will compile topographical and cadastral maps; land use; demographic data; lists of natural and cultural attractions; existing tourism activities; access routes and transport networks; climatic and environmental data; existing hotels, guesthouses, and services; basic infrastructure; and local tourism associations and community-based tourism mechanisms.”

¶ 11 This is a complex process. We will incorporate the proposed areas, complete stakeholder consultations and boundary delineations, and proceed to Gazette. SLTDA has the capacity to adopt this approach, but it will take some time. I thank the Hon. Member for this timely Motion. Creating new experiences and destinations is essential to build a sustainable and inclusive tourism economy. The Ministry and SLTDA are committed to this task.