SLTDA-British High Commission eLearning platform to strengthen tourism sector

 Official launch of eLearning platform done by Acting British High Commissioner Lisa Whanstall and SLTDA Deputy Director General Upali Rathnayake

•  To enhance security awareness and response 

The British High Commission and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) introduced a counter-terrorism awareness eLearning platform, aimed at enhancing security awareness and resilience within Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. 

Modelled after the UK’s successful Action Counters Terrorism initiative, this online course equips tourism professionals with the skills to identify and address potential threats, ensuring a safer environment for visitors and locals.

A launch event on March 5 was attended by Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe and Acting British High Commissioner for Sri Lanka Lisa Whanstall. Key stakeholders from the tourism sector, emergency services and government agencies participated.

Prof. Ranasinghe said, “Tourism is vital to our economy and a secure environment is essential for both visitors and locals. This programme is a crucial step towards preparing our industry for future challenges.”

Whanstall commented, “We are proud to lend UK expertise to enhance Sri Lanka’s tourism capacity.  This training will help improve security practices in the tourism industry, building confidence in security awareness.  We know this is important to local communities and to travellers. We hope to see British visitor numbers continue to rise in the years ahead.”

SLTDA Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam, in a statement, emphasised, “As we see a regrowth in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, visitor and staff safety remain top priorities. This eLearning course will empower our professionals to detect and respond to security threats, fostering greater confidence in the capacity of our industry.”

Building on previous counter-terrorism training that has already reached over 3,000 industry stakeholders in the past three years, this eLearning platform is part of an ongoing effort to reinforce safety and bolster Sri Lanka’s reputation as a secure and welcoming destination.

Tourism professionals are encouraged to enrol to better prepare their teams for potential security challenges and improve overall safety standards. For more information or to register, visit www.ctatraining.lk or contact the Standards and Quality Assurance Division of the SLTDA.

The British High Commission and SLTDA have long been committed to enhancing safety in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, continuously collaborating to build a secure and resilient destination for both local and 
international visitors.

Key features of eLearning platform

• Multilingual access: Available in Sinhala and Tamil for broad accessibility
• Comprehensive content: Covers recognising suspicious behaviour, identifying vulnerabilities and managing potential threats 
• Certification: Participants will earn certificates jointly issued by the SLTDA and British High Commission upon completion.
• Flexible learning: A 60-90-minute online course accessible anytime
• Open to all: Designed for everyone in the tourism sector, from hoteliers to tour operators