Japan to develop tourism in Sri Lanka with Ayurveda in forefront

Wednesday, 7 May 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Japanese Member of Parliament Dr. Arai Hiroyuki says that tourism between Japan and Sri Lanka will be developed with Ayurveda in the forefront. He also said that vast resources normally not evident in the other countries are available in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Ayurveda system is very popular among the Japanese people. This was stated by him when he met Minister Basil Rajapaksa at the Ministry of Economic Development on 5 May. Japanese Member of Parliament added that arrivals of Japanese tourists have increased from 10,000 to 20,000 and most of the tourists are significantly women and children. Action has been taken by Japan in response to a request made by Minister Basil Rajapaksa, during his last visit to Japan, to send Japanese investments to Sri Lanka.

He further stated that Japan is ready to contribute towards building the capacity of local tourist guides by providing training and knowledge sharing of experienced tourist guide in Japan. He also requested government mediation to nominate commercial entities where Japanese tourists will be able to make trustworthy purchases. Japanese Member of Parliament Shimpei Mathmhitha stated that Sri Lanka is considered one of the most important countries in the world and time is opportune to strengthen the existing cordial relationship between the countries through Ayurveda system. He pointed out that a Japanese Newspaper had named Sri Lanka as number one of the countries suitable for tourism. Minister Basil Rajapaksa stated that generous assistance has been extended by Japan towards development in Sri Lanka which in turn has strengthened the cordial relationship between the two countries. He said that every possible assistance will be extended to Japanese investors to develop tourism and the ayurveda system in the future. Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Bhaswara Senanka Gunarathna and several officials were present on this occasion.