Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe highlighted the need to develop the Uva Province as a tourist zone, centred on the Ella-Wellawaya region in accordance with a strategic plan.

He was presiding over a meeting at the Ella Divisional Secretariat during an unscheduled inspection tour of the Ella town on December 22 evening.

The meeting attended by officials in the area including the Divisional Secretary and the Pradesheeya Sabaha Secretary focused attention on the current status of the area’s tourist industry.

The officials attending the meeting pointed out that nearly 1,000 hotels and other residential lodgings are in the area.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the number contradicted the statistics given by the Tourist Board that claimed only 300 rooms. He directed the officials to conduct a proper census on the number of rooms available and submit an urgent report to him detailing shortcomings that obstruct the development of tourism in the area so that they could be addressed soon.

The Prime Minister said a heavy rush of tourists to the area could be seen by the middle of next year when the Mattala Airport and the Hambantota port activities kick started. The Ella area had to be developed as a main tourist zone, he said.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe pointed out that an environment-friendly tourism development plan should be drawn up for the region including its main landmarks as tbe Dowa Viharaya, Namunukula and Ravana Caves and requested officials to forward their proposals in this regard.

He said new hotels and restaurants should be built conforming to the tourism development plan.

The Premier said discussions would be held with peoples’ representatives in the area and relevant ministers before finalising the plan. He said the agriculture industry in the area should be developed to cater to the needs of tourists.

The Prime Minister discussed measures to develop the Ella Railway Station as well.

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