The Presidential Task Force for the implementation of Sri Lanka’s Tourism Development Programme met at the Presidential Secretariat today (16) under the chairmanship of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath.

A key proposal discussed was the establishment of a special tourism zone titled the ‘Southern Mist Corridor’, integrating the districts of Galle, Matara, and Ratnapura. Under this initiative, a broader development plan will be implemented across the Southern and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, focusing on the Sinharaja forest reserve, the Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya forest complex and the Hiniduma mountain range, the President’s Media Division said in a statement.

Plans were also discussed to promote tea based Tea-tourism and eco-tourism within the region. An Integrated Operations Committee will be established to coordinate all aspects of the proposed development programme. 

Attention was also drawn to the proposed Maritime Tourism Corridor, to be implemented over a 10-year period in three phases by Capital Marine and Civil Construction (CMC). The first phase will introduce ferry services based in Jaffna in the Northern Province, with subsequent expansion planned towards Colombo and Galle.

The PMD said film tourism was also discussed in detail, with focus on addressing practical challenges faced by foreign film crews when obtaining filming approvals in Sri Lanka. The review included progress on establishing a single-window system to streamline approvals, as well as resolving issues related to the temporary importation of filming equipment.