Tourism is an industry which has the potential to bring the most revenue to Sri Lanka in the coming years. The island’s tropical climate and wide diversity of cultural and pleasure attractions make it an ideal holiday destination for foreign tourists. The prospective of this area has not been lost on many and USAID’s comprehensive study creates awareness of private sector investment opportunities.

The tourism industry has set a target of 2.5 million tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka by 2016. This requires the development of at least 15,000 new hotel rooms and major investment in large-scale resorts at new locations. According to the USAID study the East coast, as an up-and-coming tourist hot spot, needs 8 graded hotels and 230 graded rooms in order to meet the requirements set out to accommodate the expected influx of tourists.

Currently 52,900 people are directly employed in the tourism industry which makes up 4% of the country’s GDP according to the USAID research. In order to meet the target laid out major investments are needed in resort development at new locations. As soon as planning permits are in place, construction jobs will be in demand followed by a demand for staff and managers which will bring longer term employment in the areas. As well as the direct employment opportunities, the volume of tourists will ensure a high demand of produduction in the fishing and farming communities.

According to the USAID report both the public and private sectors must increase investment in training staff in the hospitality industry including more comprehensive language training. The government plays an important role in the elimination of challenges faced by tourist development in the post-conflict zones, particularly in the East, where water irrigation and sewage are more immediate concerns and the upgrading of the domestic airport near Trincomalee to accommodate international jets, a longer term plan.

Another sector assessed by the USAID study, that ties in closely with tourism is that of logistics. This area, which encompasses the movement and storage of goods and also that of passenger transportation, is one which is critical for the East to re-engage in the mainstream economic activity of the country.

In 2008 the logistic sector accounted for 10.6% of Sri Lanka’s GDP in 2008. With the countries growth in a post conflict environment the development of this sector is crucial, in particular in the East and Northern Provinces where warehouses and collection/distribution centres will be needed in building up the area.

Roads, railroads, airports and ports are all areas of infrastructure which must be looked with regard to logistics. Also the storage and collection/distribution centres for the transportation of agricultural and aquatic purposes are vitally important.

Logistics ties in closely with tourism; the one being beneficial and crucial to the success of the other. The comprehensive assessment of USAID in this area clearly lays out the potential of these two sectors and outlines the best ways for the private sector to aid in the rebuilding of the Eastern and Northern Provinces.Lanka...

The hospital has been capable of making out a profit of Rs 41 million according to the CEO of Lanka Hospitals Lakith Peiris.

According to the Managing Director of SLIC Dr. Nalaka Godahewa "The hospital will lead to be the benchmark of the Health sector leading with honor"

"The new beginning and understanding as a state held institution will understand the social responsibility and the new logo represents our devotion and dedication to our cause - our understanding of our customers' medical needs and our belief that everyone requires an equal amount of attention when they walk in through our doors, without discrimination," said Secretary of Defense and the new chairman of Lanka Hospitals Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

"The controlling shareholder of Lanka Hospitals, who is also, a Member of the Board of Directors at Lanka Hospitals, said the hospital today stands on the threshold of a new beginning,

"I can assure you that our vision for the Company is one that aspires to achieve the highest level of corporate excellence in the immediate future. Our vision for the Company mirrors the bold vision of the President for our nation. In the year ahead we will put in place a number of strategic initiatives which aim to propel Lanka Hospitals to be positioned as a hospital and a corporate that is truly world-class. Furthermore, as a part of our vision to become the national health care provider, Lanka Hospitals will in future set up a chain of hospitals to take quality health care, at an affordable price to people living even outside Colombo. To this effect, our medium term goal is to be recognized as one of the best healthcare solutions provider in the South Asian region" he said.

Our collective mission is to make Lanka Hospitals the pinnacle of healthcare in Sri Lanka, and the benchmark for Sri Lanka's healthcare industry as well the region," concluded Peiris the CEO of Lankan Hospitals.