PM to launch first tourist-friendly tuk programme on Monday

 The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) will launch Sri Lanka’s first-ever tourist-friendly tuk tuk service on July 30, 2018, at Galle Face Green, under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. 

The tourist-friendly logo is a pride mark to distinguish the high-quality tourism-related service providers in Sri Lanka. The initial rollout of this pride mark will be for the tuk tuks in the Colombo District. Subsequently, it will also cover the rest of the island, including the other major tourist cities.  The tuk tuk drivers, who successfully completed the training programme, will ceremonially receive the logo and their certificates from the prime minister at the event. 

The logo and branding will allow the tourists to easily identify the ‘tourist-friendly’ tuks and obtain their services. 

Over 750 tuk tuk drivers have so far been trained by the SLTDA, in several districts, under its tourist-friendly training programmes. All drivers who successfully complete the programme will get a special ID from the SLTDA, in addition to the tourist-friendly logo and certification.  

The project is implemented under the budget proposals presented by Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera, for this year (2018). 

The SLTDA said the tourist-friendly programme will also cover the eating places and homestays in the future, remarkably uplifting the quality and standards of the Sri Lankan tourism industry. 

The event on July 30, 2018 will be the launch of the tourist-friendly logo and will be attended by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Tourism Development and Christian Affairs Minister John Amaratunga, Project Management, Youth Affairs and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayaka and Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama.