Cabinet approves new Tourism Act to consolidate support

• New legislation to establish Sri Lanka Tourism Authority bringing in 3 institutions under one body 

Cabinet has given approval for the drafting of a new Tourism Act that will consolidate three existing institutions that currently oversee the sector, and provide more support to the overall industry.

Cabinet has approved a paper submitted by Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga to formulate a new Tourism Act that will amalgamate the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau.

 “This decision was taken to deal with coordination issues and resource wastage due to the division, and promote Government support extended to the tourism industry,” Cabinet spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told the weekly Cabinet meeting.   

Cabinet Ministers granted approval to the proposal tabled by the Minister of Tourism, to repeal the Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005 and to draft a new bill to ensure sustainable development of the tourism industry. The new legislation will establish a Sri Lanka Tourism Authority by consolidating the three existing institutions.