Nov 15, Colombo: The government has decided to develop Polonnaruwa, a World Heritage City, as a tourist destination.

The decision was taken at a discussion held today (15) at the Polonnaruwa District Meeting of the Livelihood Development Committee at the District Secretariat.

The discussion focused on the development of Polonnaruwa, a World Heritage Site, as an attractive tourist destination and the resumption of a more people-friendly tourism industry, Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga said.

A joint program has already been launched to promote Polonnaruwa as a tourist destination. Under this a tourist hotel school is to be started next year.

Minister Ranatunga stated that eco-tourism tourism projects related to Maduru Oya, Somawathiya and Wasgamuwa forest reserves will be implemented in the future.

Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage stated that an agro economic center will be constructed in the Gallella area in Polonnaruwa at a cost of Rs. 700 million.

He also stated that the currently suspended farmers’ pension scheme will be resumed from January 01. Further formalization of paddy procurement was also discussed.

State Ministers Roshan Ranasinghe, Shehan Semasinghe, DB Herath, Mohan de Silva, Wimalaweera Dissanayake, and Siripala Gamlath, Governor of the North Central Province Mahipala Herath and a number of government officials were also present.