Lankan envoy discusses bilateral ties with Palestine Minister of Tourism and Antiquities

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities in Palestine Rula Maaya met with the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the State of Palestine Fawzan Anver and discussed many issues with regard to tourism promotional activities between Sri Lanka and Palestine.

The minister expressed her warm welcome and appreciated the meeting. She said that only 21 million tourists arrived to visit Palestine during the year 2015, since the political situation in Palestine affected the tourism. However, Palestinian tourists groups and travel agents are taking action to promote tourism activities. 

She further mentioned that Sri Lanka has long been a popular place for the honeymooners so they can visit the natural beauty of the charming island. The minister also added that around 3,562 Sri Lankan tourists visited Palestine during the year 2015. Maaya said that the Ministry of Tourism will take necessary action to promote tourism in Palestine and Sri Lanka.

During the meeting, Anver highlighted the close and longstanding friendship existing between the two countries and the contribution made by former Prime Minister Late Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaiyake and other political leaders on the Palestinian issue. He also briefed the minister regarding the action taken by him to send a delegation from Palestine Television to Sri Lanka in order to make a documentary film in the Arabic language on Middle East Countries’ Tourism Destinations, including trade and investment etc, since Sri Lanka has developed so fast and is now the safest country in Asia to invest. Fawzan Anver added that Muslims and Christians from all over the world desire to visit Palestine since it is the first qiblah and the third holiest site for Muslims and the birthplace of Jesus. 

Fawzan extended an invitation to the minister to visit Sri Lanka and the minister appreciated his comments and accepted the invitation to visit Sri Lanka in the near future.