A discussion on the 2026 Pre-Budget for the tourism sector with private sector stakeholders was held yesterday afternoon (29th) at the Presidential Secretariat, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The President noted that promotional programmes alone would not be sufficient to achieve the tourism sector’s targets for 2026. He stressed the need for a new strategic plan jointly implemented by both the public and private sectors, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).
Inviting entrepreneurs to invest in transforming President’s Houses and Ministers’ official bungalows in locations such as Nuwara Eliya, Anuradhapura, Mahiyanganaya, and Kataragama into comfortable holiday resorts for foreign tourists, the President announced that a formal programme for this initiative would be launched soon.
During the discussion, business leaders highlighted existing shortcomings and challenges in the tourism industry. The President also encouraged entrepreneurs to submit proposals for advancing the sector, the PMD added.
Those present included Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Senior Economic Adviser to the President Duminda Hulugamuwa, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of the Export Development Board Mangala Wijesinghe, along with several private sector stakeholders and business representatives.
