Chief Minister of the Eastern Province S. Chandrakanthan’s tour of Japan would help him with his development plans for his province, Deputy Minister of Tourism Faizer Musthapha said on Sunday in Colombo prior to the departure of the Sri Lankan delegation led by him for the annual JATA Travel Fair in Japan from Sep. 18 to 21.

Musthapha said the entry of the TMVP into the democratic mainstream had facilitated the revival of tourism in the Eastern Province after it was cleared of the LTTE. Due to terrorism, people around the world had lost an opportunity to visit places like Passekudah, one of the most picturesque beaches in the world.

He said the government had embarked on a project to develop tourist resorts in the East such as Nilaveli, Passekudah and Arugambay.

Passekudah, Musthapah said, had been abandoned by hoteliers and their properties vandalized. He said seven investors had come forward to develop tourism in the East by forming a joint venture for that purpose.

He said Chief Minister Chandrakantha would be able to familiarize himself with the modern trends in tourism and return with a wealth of experience to revive tourism in the East.

Musthapah thanked Minister Milinda Moragoda for having given Chief Minister Chandrakanthan an opportunity to visit Japan to gain experience.

Chandrakanthan is accompanied by his staffers M. Nanzeer and K. Nandakopan.