Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe

¶ 01 We have launched a project to design a national branding campaign and take it across the country. We are proceeding systematically.

¶ 02 We discussed tourism promotion. Next is marketing — that is a primary objective of establishing this Presidential Task Force. As I mentioned earlier, our country already has an institutional framework. Specifically, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau — these four institutions under our Ministry — are involved in this process. However, in order to integrate these institutions and take this undertaking forward efficiently, to develop it, and to ensure effective interventions and decision-making, we have established this Presidential Task Force.

¶ 03 At this stage, I table the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2450/27 dated 2025.08.20 relating to the establishment of the Presidential Task Force for the implementation of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Programme.

¶ 04 Placed in the Library.

¶ 05 Regarding the membership of this Presidential Task Force: there are 28 members. As I said at the outset, many institutions are connected to this industry. In particular: the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism; the Hon. Minister of Tourism; the Secretary to the President; the Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies; the Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; the Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism; the Secretary, Ministry of Environment; the Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Livestock and Irrigation; the Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation; the Additional Secretary (Development), Tourism Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism; the Chairman, Urban Development Authority; the Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority; the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau; the Chairman, Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management; the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau; the Director General, Central Cultural Fund; the Director General, Department of Archaeology; the Director General, Department of Irrigation; the Director General, Department of Wildlife Conservation; the Director General, Forest Department; the Director General, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority; the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration; the Director General, Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka; the Inspector General of Police, Sri Lanka Police; our Senior Economic Adviser, Mr. Duminda Hulugalle; Mr. Krishan Balendra, Chairman of John Keells Group; Mr. Nihal Muhandiram; Mr. Nalin Jayasundara; Mr. Suranjith Wewita; and Ms. Shiromal Cooray. All of these individuals from the private sector are experts in the tourism field. These 28 members have been appointed to the Presidential Task Force.

¶ 06 Thank you.