By: Staff Writer
June 26, Colombo (LNW): In a significant move aimed at overhauling Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, the government is preparing to establish a powerful National Tourism Council (NTC), which is expected to unify and streamline the country’s fragmented tourism governance system.
A policy paper outlining the proposal was submitted to the Cabinet last week, and pending approval, the Council will commence operations. Until then, a newly formed Presidential Tourism Unit has been tasked with performing its functions on an interim basis.
Deputy Tourism Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe described the proposed Council as the apex body that will oversee the existing tourism institutions in Sri Lanka.
Under this new structure, key organisations such as the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) will be brought under the purview of the Council.
However, the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM), which focuses on training and human resources development, will continue to operate as an autonomous entity.
Prof. Ranasinghe highlighted that overlapping mandates, institutional silos, and prolonged bureaucratic delays have for years hindered the growth and development of tourism in Sri Lanka. These inefficiencies have delayed critical infrastructure projects and undermined investor confidence.
He stated that the establishment of the National Tourism Council would eliminate long-standing bottlenecks while ensuring greater coherence, accountability, and coordination in planning and executing tourism sector initiatives.
The announcement follows a major development earlier this month when President Anura Kumara Dissanayake introduced a new tourism integration unit under the Presidential Secretariat on June 6.
This move aims to synchronise various sectors of the tourism trade to create a unified strategy and robust framework capable of achieving Sri Lanka’s ambitious tourism goals. One of the primary objectives is to transform Sri Lanka into a premier year-round travel destination, reducing dependence on seasonal tourist flows.
During a high-level meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, the President met with prominent stakeholders, including hoteliers, tour operators, and private investors, to discuss methods to increase tourist arrivals during traditionally slow periods. The discussion focused on the need for a cohesive strategy to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth in the tourism industry.
The proposed National Tourism Council comes at a time when tourism accounts for nearly five percent of Sri Lanka’s GDP, yet the industry continues to struggle due to poor coordination among institutions, insufficient infrastructure, and a lack of targeted promotion during off-seasons.
While the new Council promises greater efficiency, its effectiveness will depend on competent leadership, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and insulation from political interference. If implemented with integrity and vision, it could mark a turning point in making Sri Lanka a truly competitive and sustainable global tourism destination.
