A major community-led initiative is underway to position the historic Kingdom of Kotte as a leading sustainable tourism destination, with tourism stakeholders expressing confidence that the project will diversify Colombo's visitor experiences while promoting green tourism, heritage conservation, and community participation.
Speaking at the first anniversary celebrations of the Kotte Green Tourism Network (KGTN) on Sunday (26), Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen tourism in the Western Province through sustainable destination development.
He revealed that the World Bank is supporting a US$77 million tourism development project in the Western Province, with US$12 million allocated to initiatives under the Kotte Green Tourism Network. The project aims to establish Kotte as a recognised green tourism destination by showcasing its rich biodiversity, wetlands, cultural heritage, and historic landmarks.
Abeysinghe noted that the Kingdom of Kotte offers visitors a unique blend of attractions, including its wetlands, historical sites, and the renowned Kotte Raja Maha Viharaya Perahera, making it one of Colombo's most distinctive cultural and eco-tourism destinations.
The initiative seeks to bring together tourism stakeholders, local authorities, tour operators, and community organisations under a coordinated strategy to strengthen destination branding, encourage tour operators to include Kotte in their travel itineraries, improve tourism infrastructure, train tourist guides, and increase community involvement in tourism development.
The anniversary celebrations featured several tourism-focused events, including the Kingdom of Kotte Heritage electric three-wheeler trail and the Ramayana Trail bicycle finale organised by Team Tour de Kotte, culminating in the gala event, A Night in the Kingdom of Kotte, held at Water's Edge. The programme attracted tourism industry representatives, community leaders, and development partners.
Lakshman Abeysekera, Chair of the Kotte Green Tourism Network, said the organisation plans to expand its flagship initiatives covering heritage tourism, wetland conservation, cultural festivals, cycling and walking trails, educational programmes, creative industries, and international collaborations. Preparations are also underway for the Kingdom of Kotte Literary Festival, which is expected to further strengthen the area's cultural tourism appeal.
The initiative is expected to enhance Colombo's tourism offering by creating a sustainable urban destination that combines history, culture, biodiversity, and community-driven experiences while contributing to the long-term growth of Sri Lanka's tourism industry.
Tea Villages Project to Strengthen Tourism and Enhance Sri Lanka’s Tea Export Value
The Government’s proposed 500 Tea Villages Project is expected to play a significant role in strengthening Sri Lanka’s tourism sector while creating new opportunities to increase tea export earnings, Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe said.
Speaking at the inauguration of Hotel Show Colombo 2026 at the BMICH, Prof. Ranasinghe highlighted the growing importance of tourism as one of Sri Lanka’s fastest-expanding economic sectors and emphasised that the hotel and hospitality industry remains a key driver of the country's tourism growth.
He said the Tea Villages initiative would help diversify Sri Lanka’s tourism offerings by creating unique experiences centred around the country's world-renowned tea heritage, while also supporting one of its most important export industries.
The three-day Hotel Show Colombo 2026, organised by the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association (SLHGA) and CDC Events, has attracted more than 200 exhibitors and is expected to welcome over 10,000 visitors. The exhibition serves as a major platform for suppliers, buyers, hospitality professionals, and service providers to build partnerships and explore new opportunities within the regional hospitality industry.
The event was also recognised as Sri Lanka’s first carbon-neutral trade fair by Control Union under the Green Hospitality concept, highlighting the industry's growing focus on sustainability.
Prof. Ranasinghe also stressed the importance of improving international connectivity to support tourism growth, noting the launch of direct flights between Colombo and Hanoi in May as a major milestone in expanding Sri Lanka’s global tourism reach.
He added that events such as Hotel Show Colombo encourage young people to pursue careers in hospitality and called for greater collaboration among industry stakeholders to promote Sri Lankan hospitality internationally.
Meanwhile, New Zealand High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives David Pine welcomed the continued growth of Sri Lanka’s hospitality sector and noted that the upcoming centenary celebrations of cricketing relations between Sri Lanka and New Zealand could create further tourism opportunities.
Vietnamese Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam said Sri Lanka is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for Vietnamese travellers following the resumption of direct flights after a 34-year gap. She also highlighted a newly introduced chef exchange programme aimed at strengthening cultural ties and promoting the cuisines of both countries.
The 500 Tea Villages Project is expected to strengthen the connection between Sri Lanka’s tea industry and tourism sector, creating new avenues for rural development, cultural tourism, and higher-value export promotion.
Kotte ‘Green Tourism Drive’ Aims to Enhance Colombo’s Visitor Appeal
