Lonely Planet rating a great encouragement - PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that Sri Lanka still being named as a favourable destination to visit by the Lonely Planet magazine is a great encouragement for the country’s tourism industry.

“Some thought that Sri Lanka will lose the status it gained as the top tourist destination after the Easter Sunday attacks but it was not to be as Lonely Planet had recognized the hospitable nature of our people,” the Prime Minister said in a special statement.

He said the government will take several steps to further develop the tourism sector and help it recover following the Easter Sunday attacks.

The Prime Minister took the occasion to thank the security forces and others who worked towards rebuilding the nation after the bomb blasts. (Yohan Perera)