Sri Lanka to boast new tourist sites

The tourist board of Sri Lanka has announced plans to develop brand new tourist sites around the country.

As it bids to make the island nation one of south Asia's "most sought-after holiday destinations", Sri Lanka Tourism will focus a development project on the Kalpitiya islands some 150km north of Colombo.

The initiative will be pursued over the course of ten to 12 years and will have the eventual goal of creating sustainable tourism destinations which appeal to a varied demographic.

Tourists will be able to visit new attractions including botanical gardens and marine sanctuaries and also set off on tours to see local wildlife including dolphins, whales and birds.

Bernard Goonetilleke of Sri Lanka Tourism said: "This project will not only develop the area which has hitherto been unexplored, but also provide employment to the people in the area, provide livelihood to the fishermen and improve the economic situation of Kalpitiya."

Flights to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, are available with airlines including British Airways and Qatar Airways.

Posted by Paul, 06 March 2009 13:34

News tags

• Colombo
• Qatar Airways
• British Airways