With support from VFS Global, The National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC) Sri Lanka, in partnership with ASSIST, has successfully concluded Project VISA - the Vocational Initiative for Sustainable Ambassadors in Tourism. The initiative was designed to strengthen Sri Lanka’s tourism workforce by equipping aspiring and practicing tour guides with essential skills in sustainable and responsible tourism. The program focused on enhancing employability while promoting the preservation of the country’s cultural, social, and environmental heritage.

Through a structured approach delivering industry-relevant training in sustainable and eco-tourism practices, cultural interpretation and storytelling, communication and customer service excellence, environmental responsibility, climate resilience, occupational safety, tourism entrepreneurship, and financial literacy, the initiative promoted inclusive, community-based tourism and long-term career readiness.

Over the course of its implementation, the program has completed four batches across key tourist destinations, including Galle, Negombo, Riverstone, and Kandy, certificated 123 participants. The programme also recorded strong progress toward gender inclusion, with 25% women forming a significant proportion of the trainees. Training sessions were delivered through interactive workshops, role-plays, field exposure, and expert-led discussions, ensuring practical and application-oriented learning outcomes.

In addition to skill development, the program supported employment linkages by connecting trained participants with tourism operators and industry stakeholders, enabling participants to transition into professional tourism roles, and building sustainable livelihoods.

The successful completion of the program was marked by a culmination event held at the Royal Kandyan Hotel in Kandy recently. The event brought together key stakeholders and partners, including; Suranjith Wevita, Member Special Presidential task force on Tourism Development in Srilanka; the Municipal Commissioner of the Kandy Municipal Council; Ms Neetu Wadhawan, Deputy CHRO, VFS Global; Mr. Manpreet Arora, Country Manager – Sri Lanka, VFS Global; Eng. Samantha Kumarasena, Chief Executive Officer, NCPC Sri Lanka; Mr. Karan, Country Head, ASSIST; and Ms. Chathurangi Gunasekara, Project Manager, NCPC Sri Lanka.

Quote from VFS Global:

Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer – South Asia, VFS Global, said, “Tourism plays a vital role in Sri Lanka’s economic and social fabric. By supporting the development of skilled, sustainability-focused

tourism professionals, we aim to strengthen local livelihoods while safeguarding the country’s rich cultural and environmental heritage. This initiative reflects VFS Global’s commitment to responsible growth by empowering youth through education, skills development, and entrepreneurial training. With this programme marking our commitment in Sri Lanka, our CSR efforts have made strategic investments in community programmes across Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, South Africa, Thailand, and the Philippines.”

Image Caption : From left to right ( Dr. Ruwan Jayathunga- Resource Person; Mr. Suranjith Wevita -Member - Special presidential task force on tourism development in Sri Lanka; Mr. Samantha Kumarasena - CEO, NCPC; Mr. Manpreet Singh Arora, Senior General Manager – Operation, VFS Global; Dr. Shirani Hettiarachchi-Resource Person; Ms. Neetu Wadhawan, Dy CHRO -VFS Global; Ms. H.C.P Jayaweera, DG, Department of National Botanical Gardens; Mr. Karunakaran Kalinathan, Country Manager, ASSIST;  Ms. Chathurangi Gunasekara – Project Manager, NCPC)