COLOMBO : A discussion on the progress and future plans of the project to develop the historic Ridi Viharaya in Kurunegala as an international tourist destination was held yesterday afternoon (03) at the Presidential Secretariat, under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs Namal Sudarshana and Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
The project aims to develop Ridi Viharaya, a popular tourist attraction in the Kurunegala District, into an international Buddhist and spiritual wellness destination while preserving its historical and cultural heritage. It is expected to contribute to the promotion of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.
The discussion focused on the target of attracting approximately 5,000 foreign tourists per month to Sri Lanka through this temple, thereby making a significant contribution towards achieving the country’s future tourism targets.
It was emphasised that yoga, meditation and other spiritual programmes could help establish the temple as a destination capable of attracting international attention.
The meeting also discussed plans to maintain the temple and its surrounding environment as a carbon-free zone. Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring that transport operations, restaurant facilities and other activities within the area are managed in keeping with this objective.
The need to raise awareness among young people in the area and provide them with the necessary training to support the successful implementation of the project was also discussed.
The development of the road network connecting Ridi Viharaya with nearby tourist attractions, together with improvements to infrastructure and other facilities, was considered. It was emphasised that these development activities should be carried out according to a coordinated and systematic plan.
The importance of bringing together all relevant institutions to ensure the successful implementation of the project was also highlighted. These include the Ministry of Tourism and its affiliated institutions, the Urban Development Authority, the North Western Provincial Tourism Development Authority, the Road Development Authority, and the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Department of Forest Conservation.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Ridi Viharaya, the Most Venerable Tibbatuwawe Buddharakkhitha Thera, and the Venerable Ridigama Vanarathana Thera, Member of Parliament M.K.M. Aslam, President’s Senior Additional Secretary Roshan Gamage, Professor W.K.A.C. Gnanapala, Professor Mohammad Halim Mohammad Aslam, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Director Manjula Weerakkody and Assistant Director Chandima Gamage, Urban Development Authority Director of Planning (North Western Province) Priyani Nawaratne, other government officials and representatives of private-sector institutions involved in the tourism industry
