The new Tourism Act comes into effect tomorrow

The new tourism Act No. 38 of 2005 will come into operation with effect from tomorrow with the tourism Development Authority being established, according to Tourism Ministry officials.

“The 'Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau' will be a new institution setting up to undertake Tourism Marketing and Promotion. The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau will continue to function and the Sri Lanka institute of Tourism and Hotel management will be set up under the New Act. There is an oversight committee to monitor the progress of the implementation of the Act and advise the Tourism Minister of any legal implications to be addressed in the form of amendments to the Act,” Gamini Sarath Godakanda Secretary Media for the Tourism Minister said.

Former Chairman and tourism professional Renton de Alwis has been appointed as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Board and Sri Lanka institute of Tourism and Hotel management while Prema Cooray, Secretary General of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and private sector industry leader is the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau.