• Meets Businessmen Association in Ella along with top ministers
• Says Uva Province needs to be developed 
• Insists on need for experience workers to promote tourism industry

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday instructed officials to take immediate steps to develop the Ella tourist zone under a grand comprehensive plan.

He also informed officials to prepare and submit a development plan within four months together with the Ministries of Tourism, Urban Development and Environment.

The President issued the directives during a discussion held with the Ella Businessmen Association yesterday in Ella Town and visited several tourist attractions in the area too. 

Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Harin Fernando, State Ministers Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, Uva Province Governor A.J.M. Musammil, Chief of Presidential Staff and President’s Senior Adviser on National Security Sagala Ratnayake, Badulla District Secretary Damayanthi Paranagama and several others were present at the event.

The President highlighted the need to formally plan the Ella tourism zone and highlighted the importance of carrying out construction activities in an environmentally friendly manner to avoid disturbing tourist attractions.

He said under the first phase, the Ella tourism zone will be developed through a formal plan, and steps will be taken to make the Uva Province a preferred destination for tourists.

“Ella is a tourist area created by the people of this area. It now contributes widely to Sri Lanka’s economy. We hope to develop this tourist zone according to a new comprehensive development plan. I have instructed the officials to take steps to provide short-term solutions to the problems that have arisen in this area,” he added.

Citing that tourists visiting the Maldives spend about $ 500 per day, he said tourists who come to the Ella area spend $ 20 a day and insisting it was high time to change the situation. 

President Wickremesinghe also said training workers are needed for the promotion of the tourism industry. 

“Tourists who spend $ 500 come expecting good service. We need trained employees to provide such a service. Steps should be taken to create a good tourism service under this massive development program. Experienced tourism workers left the country during the COVID pandemic. They were very experienced workers,” he added.

He said tourists who arrive in the Uva Province should spend at least seven days there. “We need to make new plans with that objective in mind. We have to arrange to attract the tourists visiting the Eastern Province to Ella thereafter. This new development plan should include a program to develop the Mattala Airport and bring tourists directly from Mattala to Ella. These plans would be effective for the country’s development both in the short-term and in the long-term,” he explained.

During the discussion, President Wickremesinghe provided many solutions and suggestions to overcome issues raised by the Ella Businessmen, whilst pledging to take prompt action to address their issues.

The Members of the Association also appreciated President for the frank and engaging discussion to solve the issues. 

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