President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts among all countries representing the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to develop the BIMSTEC region into a thriving tourism hub, transcending national borders.
President Wickremesinghe expressed his belief that the tourism industry would significantly contribute to the country’s foreign exchange earnings in the coming decade.
Noting that comprehensive plans had already been formulated to enhance Sri Lanka’s appeal as a tourist destination, he observed that promoting tourism could lead to an increase in per capita income.
President Wickremesinghe made these remarks addressing the “Transcending Borders – Transforming Lives” program organized by the Indian Tourism Federation that was held at the Bandaranaike International Memorial Conference Hall in Colombo yesterday (06).
Daily flights from Chennai to Jaffna
Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay
The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay announced the expansion of flights between Chennai and Jaffna, which now operates only four times a week, to begin operations on a daily basis starting from July 16.
He mentioned ongoing efforts to resume the long-discontinued ferry service between the two nations, which had remained inactive for several decades.
He said that the use of Indian currency in Sri Lanka is a boost to tourism as Indian tourists can now conveniently use their currency for payments.
"Efforts are underway to enable digital payments between the two countries", the High Commissioner said, adding that "it will not only facilitate transcending borders and transforming lives but also build upon the legacies that form our common heritage".
