I will introduce an accelerated development programme for the tourism industry. I will launch a programme to fulfill the infrastructure and other requirements in order to attract 2.5 million tourists annually, by the year 2016.
I will give priority to eco-friendly tourism and agriculture based tourism and will promote the use of the government and private owned farms for this purpose.
All Buddhist places of worship will be developed in order to increase religious tourism from countries such as Japan and Thailand. I will establish a tourism center with special cultural importance to Asia.

It is with great pleasure I send this message to the website launched by the Ruhunu Tourist Bureau. According to the “Mahinda Chinthana Vision For The Future” his Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksha’s government targets to attract 2.5 million tourist to Sri Lanka by the year 2016.
I have no doubt that Ruhuna with its great historical sites, rich cultural sites, famous beaches, world heritage sites like Sinharaja forest and Galle Fort and forest like Yala with attractive flora and fauna will be able to attract a fare share of tourists who have started to visit the Island after the achievement of peace in the country. I am proud of the far sighting projects implemented by the Ruhunu Tourist Bureau for the enhancement of the tourist industry in the province and I am confident that launching of the this web site will serve to achieve the targets envisaged in the “Mahinda Chinthana Future Vision”