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

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

¶ 02 (a) (i) At present, 24 areas have been gazetted as Tourism Development Areas in Sri Lanka. (ii) Covering the Matara District, there are numerous attractions around Matara, Weligama, Mirissa, Gandara, Kottegoda and Dikwella. The Dutch Fort, scenic Polhena, the ancient Getabaru Cave Temple, the Old Painting Museum, the Venerated Sri Vishnu Devalaya and the Lower Temple Caves are major attractions. Gandara, Kottegoda and Dikwella beaches draw tourists as tranquil shores, and the Blow Hole near Dikwella is also a prominent site. (iii) An extent of approximately 1,040.75 hectares has been gazetted as a Tourism Development Area within the Matara District, covering Grama Niladhari divisions including Liyanwatta, Hittetiya East, Hittetiya Central, Godagama, Kotuwegoda South, Polhena, Eliyakanda South, Meddewatta South, Pamburana, Thotamuna, Kotuwa, Madiha East and Batagira. (iv) I am aware that there are attractive tourist sites within the Kotapola and Pitabeddara Divisional Secretaries’ Divisions. (v) To declare Kotapola and Pitabeddara as a Tourism Development Area, the standard process must be followed: first, identify the need, attractions and boundaries; consult key stakeholders; and then proceed to public notification. (vi) Considering geography, we must first decide, after discussions with stakeholders, whether to expand the existing Matara City Tourism Development Area to include these divisions, or to include them in the proposed Deniyaya Tourism Development Area to be gazetted in future.

¶ 03 (b) Not applicable.