Sri Lanka Tourism secures colossal USD 879 mn worth projects

Russian passengers disembarking in Colombo

He also said that even during the third wave of the COVID pandemic tourism receipts to the value of USD 34 million have been received by Sri Lanka. The Minister made these observations at a discussion held in Moscow, Russia on Monday with Russian investors and Sri Lankan businessmen living in Russia.

Ranatunge said that investment opportunities between Sri Lanka and Russia are being expanded. Accordingly, he said the government is prepared to provide assistance required by Russian investors.

Speaking further, the Minister said that even though the C-19 pandemic was prevalent, the government has focused attention on expanding new investment opportunities and those arrangements were made to expedite the process of granting approval to foreign investors who come to invest in this country.

The government has ensured that the delay in giving approval for new investments as well as irregularities that occurred during that process has been removed. Minister Ranatunga also said that accordingly, investors who come to invest in the country will have the ability to establish their factories once proper permission is granted, without a delay.

Priority was given to employees of factories and tourism stakeholders in the vaccination programme. “As of now, 90% of persons working in BOI factories and tourism sector have been vaccinated.”

‘Factories are being opened according to health guidelines and the government has ensured that the production and manufacturing process is being carried out,” Minister Ranatunga said.

Meanwhile after a break of six years, SriLankan Airlines also commend direct flights between Sri Lanka and Russia last week operating one flight per week.