July 26, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Southern Provincial Council Minister of Tourism P.D. Ariyathilaka says that the government has decided to grant permission for the foreign tourists to dive to view the sunken ships close to the southern coast.

Southern Provincial Council in its moves to promote tourism has sought permission of the Department of Archaeology in this regard.

Accordingly, the permission will be granted from October for tourists to dive to view the sunken ships.

Several private companies are to provide the services to the aspirant tourists.

Scores of sunken ships are in the southern sea of the island close to Galle harbor which was a trade hub since ancient times.