North Takes Centre Stage in Sri Lanka's Tourism Drive š
Sri Lanka is stepping up tourism & hospitality development in the Northern and Eastern provinces through major international funding and new connectivity initiatives. ā¢ Funding & Key Projects: - World Bank: Agreed to provide an additional US$ 100 Mn for tourism development, alongside existing ADB and World Bank funding. - Colombo-North Cruise: BOI-approved passenger cruise service set to launch soon, boosting domestic travel from the South. - Green Initiatives: Delft Island to be developed as a carbon-neutral destination; Mannar projects supported by British High Commission. - Facility Centres: SLTDA establishing 5 tourism facility centres under the Clean Sri Lanka program. ā¢ Community & Ecotourism: - Northern Tourism Plan: Prioritizes eco-tourism access, ecosystem protection, and local heritage. - Kokkilai Piliyamune: Selected as a sustainable tourism village for community-based livelihoods and heritage experiences. ā¢ Skill Building & Employment: - SLITHM Jaffna: Trains 100+ youth annually. - Samurdhi Youth Placement: 202 youth from Jaffna (102) and Kilinochchi (100) trained and employed in 2025 via a 3-month multi-tasker course; expanding to Mullaitivu in 2026. ā¢ Promotions: - Plans underway for regional cultural and culinary festivals, supported by global PR, digital campaigns, and influencer marketing to promote Jaffna and the North.