‘Parakum Legacy’ tourism village project launched in Polonnaruwa
Newswire: The government has launched the ‘Parakum Legacy’ tourism village development project in Polonnaruwa with an investment of Rs. 100 million under the national ‘Praja Shakthi’ poverty alleviation programme.
The project, which commenced on Friday under the patronage of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Minister Dr. Upali Pannila, will develop the Ethumalpitiya and Muniyandi Grama Niladhari divisions in the Thamankaduwa Divisional Secretariat as tourism villages.
Planned developments include kayaking facilities at Ethumal Wewa, traditional boat rides, wildlife viewing, a handicraft village, shopping stalls, and local and international food outlets aimed at attracting both local and foreign tourists.
The minister said the project is the first in a series of tourism village initiatives planned across the country under the ‘Praja Shakthi’ programme. He added that Rs. 618 million has been allocated for development activities in the Polonnaruwa District, including the Rs. 100 million earmarked specifically for the Parakum Legacy project.
He said the project aims to improve livelihoods, strengthen the local economy, create new business opportunities through tourism, add value to local products, and generate foreign exchange for the country.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery is beginning to translate into a broader investment story, with the government increasingly looking beyond traditional hotel development to create community-based tourism experiences and attract private sector participation. The launch of the ‘Parakum Legacy’ tourism village project in Polonnaruwa reflects this shift. By developing rural communities into tourism destinations through attractions such as eco-tourism, cultural experiences, handicrafts, local cuisine and recreational activities, the government is seeking to spread tourism earnings beyond established coastal hotspots. The initiative comes as Sri Lanka’s tourism industry continues its steady recovery, with rising visitor arrivals fuelling demand for new accommodation, transport, food and beverage services, adventure tourism, wellness experiences and heritage-based attractions. This expanding ecosystem is creating business/investment opportunities not only for domestic entrepreneurs but also for foreign businesses/investors looking to establish hotels, boutique resorts, eco-lodges, marinas, adventure tourism ventures, destination management services and digital travel platforms. For international businesses/investors, Sri Lanka offers a relatively untapped tourism market with diverse natural and cultural assets, while government policy is increasingly geared towards attracting investment into sustainable and community-led tourism projects. As visitor numbers continue to grow, business/investment opportunities are expected to extend well beyond traditional hospitality into infrastructure, entertainment, logistics, renewable energy, waste management and technology solutions that support the industry’s long-term expansion.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20260803Z_1 |