A discussion on the project to develop Colombo Fort as a tourism zone, being implemented with World Bank loans and assistance, as well as the promotion of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, was held this morning (24) at the Presidential Secretariat between Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi and a delegation led by World Bank Country Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives, Gevorg Sargsyan.

The discussion focused extensively on matters that arose during the previous meeting chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake regarding the project to develop Colombo Fort as a tourism zone while preserving its historic heritage.

The World Bank representatives also expressed their readiness to provide support for the promotion of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and to help the country achieve its targets in the agribusiness, ports and logistics, and energy sectors.

Attention was also drawn to the World Bank’s potential contribution to the development of Colombo Fort as a tourism zone, the promotion of nature-based tourism, and the further development of tourism in the Northern and Eastern provinces.

World Bank Senior Operations Officer for Sri Lanka and Maldives Stephan Massing and Senior Operations Officer at the World Bank Asela Dissanayake also participated in the discussion.