2026-02-20 / Oral Questions: Tourism and Agriculture (Q.No. 8-10/2025) 2026-02-20
## Summary
Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, responding on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, provided a detailed ministerial answer regarding tourist destination development in the Puttalam District. The response identified 27 tourist sites in the district spanning religious, archaeological, wildlife, and coastal attractions, and confirmed that tourism development is not confined to a few locations but is being pursued nationwide. Key current initiatives include the North Western Province Tourism Master Plan (commenced 2025, due for completion 2026), a Rs. 55 million beach park project at Halawatha, road infrastructure improvements in Kalpitiya, and the deployment of 30 tourist guides specifically for the district. Proposed future projects include ADB-funded infrastructure development in the Kalpitiya kitesurfing zone, floating jetties for coral park access, development of the Eluvankulama entrance to Wilpattu National Park, and a proposal to declare Gangewadiya as a formal tourism zone.
Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, I provide the following answer.
(a)
(i) Tourist attractions are not limited to only a few areas of the country. Attractions have been identified across the country and work is underway to develop them.
(ii) A programme is in place.
(b)
(i) The following tourist destinations have been identified in the Puttalam District:
- Paramakanda Raja Maha Viharaya
- Mahauswewa
- Anawilundawa Ramsar Wetland
- Munneswaram Kovil (Chilaw)
- Tabbowa Wewa and Sanctuary
- Wilagedara/Viladogoda archaeological site
- Anamaduwa
- Arachchikattuwa
- Halawatha (Chilaw)
- Karuwalagaswewa
- Madampe
- Udu Murugan Kovil
- Golden Beach, Marawila
- Marawila Holy Cross Church (Kurusa Palliya)
- Kitesurfing (Kalpitiya)
- Battalangunduwa Island
- Kalpitiya Dutch Fort (Lendis Kotuwa)
- Daluwa/DAD Beach
- Dolphin watching (Kalpitiya)
- Nalavila Church
- Alankuda Beach
- Kudiramale/Kudirimalai Point
- Gangewadiya
- Wilpattu National Park
- The Baobab tree
- Malwila Raja Maha Viharaya
- Chanthavilluwa
(ii) Steps taken/planned:
- North Western Province (NWP) Tourism Master Plan:
- In 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism commenced work, together with the Ministry of Urban Development and the Urban Development Authority, to prepare the NWP Master Plan for Tourism Development, to be completed in 2026.
- Under the plan, tourism development activities for the NWP will be planned and implemented. Designs and plans are being prepared for developing identified destinations in Kurunegala and Puttalam Districts.
- Ongoing and recent projects to uplift tourism in Puttalam:
- Halawatha (Chilaw) Beach Park: Under construction by the North Western Development Authority (NWDA) with an allocation of Rs. 55 million.
- Development plan prepared for the tourism zone associated with the Halawatha Maha Seya and Thaniwella Devalaya.
- “Discover Kalpitiya” official website – Phase II (NWDA).
- Infrastructure improvements to 24 internal roads in the Kalpitiya area for tourist mobility.
- Upgrading of the “Taniya Hotel Road,” heavily used by tourists.
- Lifesaving:
- 113 lifeguards trained through lifesaving training programmes.
- Lifesaving equipment provided to coastal tourist guides.
- SME Guide course: 30 tourist guides deployed specifically for the Puttalam District.
- Capacity building of tourist guides, hotel owners and boat operators to improve organization and service quality.
- Installation of a modern toilet system near the main kitesurfing area.
- Sanitation system under construction in Ilanthadiya, a tourist-frequented area.
- Proposed projects:
- Under an Asian Development Bank credit programme, infrastructure development is planned for the Kalpitiya kitesurfing zone during 2026.
- Proposals have been sought via the Ministry of Environment to develop/declare Gangewadiya as a tourism zone.
- Construction of floating jetties for Kudawa and Anawasala coral park access.
- Development of the Eluvankulama entrance to Wilpattu National Park.
- Anawilundawa Development Project (planned).
(c) Not applicable.