The agreement was reached during a discussion between the Minister of Tourism and the German Ambassador to Sri Lanka, H.E. Holger Seubert through zoom technology on 24th.

The two sides discussed the importance of maintaining the tourism industry under strict health guidelines in the face of the Covid pandemic.

The importance of an eco-friendly tourism industry was highlighted by both parties and discussions were held on making all sectors related to tourism such as tourist hotels, tourist attractions, travel agencies, etc. eco-friendly places free from environmentally harmful products such as plastics.

Germany is one of the top five countries that highest number of tourists arrive to Sri Lanka annually.  The Minister said that after the reopening of the airport, which was closed as a measure to control the pandemic, the first to visit Sri Lanka to promote the tourism industry was a group of German delegates.  The German Ambassador emphasized that the German Government fully supports the development of the tourism industry in Sri Lanka and that German tourists have a special interest to visit Sri Lanka and they are ready to visit Sri Lanka adhering to health guidelines introduced in Sri Lanka.Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga pointed out that there are no restrictions on tourists arriving to Sri Lanka under  health guidelines and present government is taking various steps to make Sri Lanka an attractive tourist destination even under the Covid pandemic.

Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Mr. S. Hettiarachchi and Chairperson of the Tourism Development Authority of Sri Lanka, Mrs. Kimali Fernando were also present at the occasion.