Sri Lanka says 2,500 acres available for investments in tourism

Sri Lanka has over 2,500 acres of land ready for investment in tourism, local media reports, quoting State Minister of Tourism Promotion, Arundika Fernando said here Thursday.

Minister Fernando said land with clear title was available for both local and foreign investors to lease for a period of 30 years, adding that cabinet approval could be sought for longer lease periods according to state-owned Daily News.

"A proper project proposal should be present when requesting for land, and eco-friendly and environmental and practices should be maintained," the state minister said.

Lands are available in the north-western town of Kalpitiya, the southern town of Dedduwa, and the north-eastern town of Kuchavelli as well as other areas.

Fernando noted that the government would continue to develop transport infrastructure, including domestic airport and railways stations, in order to provide better facilities for tourists.

New domestic flight routes would link popular tourists destinations in the northern, southern and eastern parts of the island, while apps would be developed to streamline railway booking systems.

Sri Lanka attracted 1.9 million tourists in 2019.