A joint committee will be set up to promote tourism cooperation between Sri Lanka and Egypt.  Minister of Tourism, Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga says that the committee is expected to be appointed in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries on tourism cooperation.

He was speaking at a special discussion between Egyptian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, H.E. Hussein El Saharty and Minister of Tourism, Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga at the Ministry of Tourism recently.  The discussion was held to enhance bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Egypt.

The two sides agreed to hold special discussions with the tourism authorities of the two countries and take further actions in this regard.  It was also decided to implement special tourism promotion campaigns between the two countries.  According to statistics, about 5,000 Egyptian tourists visit Sri Lanka annually.  The measures to be taken to increase the number were also discussed at length.

The Egyptian Ambassador said that Egypt was one of the seven countries that did not receive on arrival visas in Sri Lanka and proposed for the removal of it.  Minister, Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga said that action will be taken to draw the attention of the Department of Immigration and Emigration in this regard.

The Egyptian Ambassador welcomed the Covid vaccination program in Sri Lanka and said that the Egyptian Government fully supports the development of Sri Lanka's tourism industry.

Mr.Karim Abulenein, Deputy Head of the Egyptian Embassy,Mr.S.  Hettiarachchi, Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism and Mrs. Dhammika Wijesinghe, Director General of the Tourism Development Authority of Sri Lanka were also present at this special discussion.