The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, I table the answer.

¶ 02 Answer tabled:

¶ 03 (a) (i) Optimistic Scenario = 3,000,000 Conservative Scenario = 2,676,596

¶ 04 (ii) 1. India 2. Russian Federation 3. United Kingdom 4. Germany 5. France 6. China 7. Australia 8. Poland 9. United States 10. Netherlands 11. Bangladesh 12. Canada 13. Italy 14. Japan 15. Switzerland 16. Czech Republic 17. Israel 18. Spain 19. Kazakhstan 20. Maldives

¶ 05 (iii) Yes.

¶ 06 As of 2025, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority has registered the following service providers:

¶ 07 - Boutique Hotel: 39 establishments; 877 rooms - Boutique Villa: 49; 344 - Bungalow: 1,111; 4,691 - Classified Tourist Hotel (total): 169; 17,182 - 1 Star: 41; 3,131 - 2 Star: 40; 2,431 - 3 Star: 26; 2,462 - 4 Star: 17; 3,834 - 5 Star: 45; 6,603 - Guest House: 1,687; 19,104 - Eco Lodge: 1; 20 - Heritage Bungalow: 4; 19 - Heritage Home: 2; 2 - Heritage Hotel: 2; 312 - Home Stay Unit: 1,122; 3,322 - Hostels: 16; 155 - Rented Apartment: 82; 325 - Rented Home: 17; 47 - Themed Accommodation & Value-added Activities: 1; 11 - Camping Site: 15; 150 - Tourist Apartment Hotel: 1; 25 - Tourist Hotel: 201; 8,869 Total: 4,519 establishments; 55,455 rooms

¶ 08 Additional rooms approved as investment projects by SLTDA (as at Dec. 2024): - Number of projects: [figure tabled] - Number of rooms: [figure tabled] - Investment value (USD Mn.): [figure tabled]

¶ 09 (iv) Following short-, medium- and long-term measures are being implemented to develop the tourism industry after three unexpected shocks:

¶ 10 - Short term: Focused promotion in regional markets, especially India, to rapidly increase arrivals.

¶ 11 - Medium term: Upgrade existing tourism products in eco-friendly ways, and implement targeted promotions for specific and new market segments.

¶ 12 - Long term: Position Sri Lanka as a sustainable destination; develop a marine tourism route map; develop new products and experiences such as the Pekoe Trail.

¶ 13 Key actions: - Implement Pekoe Trail, sustainable destination development, and marine route mapping. - Establish a sustainable tourism unit. - Establish a tourism law enforcement unit (underway). - Participate in global investment forums to promote Sri Lanka’s investment opportunities. - With Korean Tourism Organization support, develop themed clusters focusing on the North and East to disperse arrivals to lesser-known attractions. - Constructed a Tourist Service Centre and a Tourist Facilitation Centre in Habarana; a community-based tourism organization has been formed with local authorities’ participation under SLTDA guidance to ensure benefits flow to communities and the economy. To be used as a model in other regions.

¶ 14 (v) Yes.

¶ 15 (vi) Declared Tourism Development Areas/Zones under Tourism Development Act No. 14 of 1968: - Mount Lavinia, Negombo (Ettukala Lewis Place), Beruwala - Hikkaduwa, Bentota, Kalutara, Unawatuna, Pinnawala - Arugam Bay (from Arugam Bay Bridge to Panama), Nilaveli/Uppuveli, Trincomalee, Kuchchaveli area, Pasikuda (from Pasikuda to Kalkuda)

¶ 16 Declared Tourism Development Areas/Zones under Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005 (by province): - Southern: Mirissa/Weligama, Matara - Central: Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Sigiriya/Dambulla, Haputale, Kandy - [Other provinces listed in the tabled answer] Identified additional areas under consideration for declaration: - Habarana, Ahungalla, Jaffna, Wadduwa, Anuradhapura, Mannar, Mihintale, Kitulgala, Marawila, Wilpattu, Udawalawe, Polonnaruwa, Bandarawela, Deniyaya, Hambantota, Ratnapura, Bulathkohupitiya

¶ 17 (b) Not applicable.