June, 9, 2026
The Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM), the apex government institution for tourism and hospitality education operating under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, marked a significant milestone on 08 June 2026 with the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration (CACTA) of the People's Republic of China.
The MOU signing ceremony was held at the SLITHM Auditorium in the presence of distinguished guests, government officials, academics, tourism industry representatives, and members of the Chinese delegation.
This landmark collaboration follows the recent approval granted by the Cabinet of Ministers of Sri Lanka, which authorized the Director General of SLITHM to sign the agreement on behalf of the institution. The partnership represents a major step forward in strengthening bilateral cooperation in tourism and hospitality education between Sri Lanka and China.
The ceremony was graced by Professor Ruwan Ranasinghe as the Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, he emphasized the importance of international partnerships in enhancing educational excellence, fostering innovation, and preparing future tourism professionals to meet global industry standards.
Special addresses were also delivered by Mr. Dheera Hettiarachchi, Chairman of SLITHM, and the Director General of SLITHM, highlighting the strategic significance of the collaboration and the long-term benefits it will bring to both institutions and the wider tourism sector.
The partnership between SLITHM and CACTA is expected to create valuable opportunities in the areas of:
The ceremony concluded with the official exchange of signed documents, reaffirming the commitment of both institutions to work together in building a stronger and more globally competitive tourism and hospitality workforce for the future.
"Bridging Nations, Shaping Tourism Excellence – SLITHM & CACTA Partnership for the Future."
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