Governor of Sabaragamuwa Province Champa Janaki Rajaratne noted that the Ratnapura and Udawalawe tourist areas will be developed as main tourist destinations for both local and foreign tourists as part of the Clean Sri Lanka programme with a view to contribute to the national economy greatly.
She stated this while participating in a discussion held with representatives of the Udawalawe Hotel and Safari Associations held at the Grand Udawalawe Tourist Resort after inspecting the Udawalawe Elephant Sanctuary, the Udawalawe Reservoir and other tourist attractions of the Udawalawe area on January 29.
Accordingly, moves are underway to develop the Udawalawe and Ratnapura areas, enriched by many tourist attractions including several waterfalls, streams, precious stones, picturesque sceneries and moreover a salubrious climate throughout the year.
Officials of the Association who spoke at the event said that the only four-star hotel in Sri Lanka is located in the Udawalawe area. Besides, there are about 250 hotels and homestays of various categories in the Udawalawe tourist area to cater to local and foreign tourists.
It was revealed that about 90 percent of the working community in the Udawalawe area earn their living based on the tourism sector.
Representatives of the associations who participated said that there are many issues, which can be identified as drawbacks for the tourism sector, including the lack of street lights, the abundance of dogs and stray cattle, the lack of proper sanitation facilities for domestic and foreign tourists. The dilapidated road system in the Udawalawe National Park and the elephants in the Udawalawe National Park roaming near the Udawalawe – Thanamalwila road are also issues to be addressed.
Speaking at the event, Sabaragamuwa Governor Rajaratne said that the government is implementing the Clean Sri Lanka programme for the betterment of the whole nation, setting a goal to develop the country in every aspect.
“Since tourism is included as one of its components and accordingly the Udawalawe tourist zone will be developed under the Clean Sri Lanka programme,” she added.
Member of Parliament Upul Kithsiri, who participated in the event, said that the Udawalawe Tourist zone will be developed jointly by the Ministries of Forest Resources, Irrigation, Wildlife, Tourism, the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council, the Pradeshiya Sabha, the Road Development Authority, the Water Supply Board, the Electricity Board, the Urban Development Authority and the private sector.
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