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

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, I answer as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) Yes. (ii) Rs. 2,128,373.018. (iii) A heart revival centre has not been established there; a foot massage centre was constructed. In 2025, we plan to obtain an electricity connection, partition the building into two sections and complete it as per estimates; one section is to house a Ruhunu Tourist Bureau souvenir and gem sales centre. The other section will be used for tourist activity, enabling souvenir photography. Already, the building is being made available for the macro photography programme with the “maco giraawa” at the old hot spring museum premises, thereby putting the building to productive use.

¶ 03 (b) (i) Cafeteria and restroom: Rs. 5,582,246.77. (ii) Dining hall: Rs. 29,569,814.34. Three generators existed at the Madunagala tourist bungalow. Two were handed over to the Matara Zonal Education Office on 25.02.2022 on their request for their use. The remaining generator is installed in the Madunagala dining hall and is operational. The bungalow roof requires periodic repairs due to continual monkey activity; such repairs are undertaken as needed. (iii) 2007: Rs. 1,471,215.00 was spent for the rural bazaar. (iv) Yes, it is known that it is in ruins. (v) To maintain this as a tourist attraction, road improvements, beautification and electricity supply must be completed. Rs. 42 million has been allocated for 2025 to carry out these works and sustain the site.

¶ 04 A detailed answer has been placed in the Library.