Sri Lanka, June 23 -- The Government has launched a concessions programme to assist 144,000 individuals who were engaged in the tourism-based livelihoods and later affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Industrial Export, Investment Promotion, Tourism and Aviation Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, applications are now being called from them to provide relief as per the Cabinet approval.

The Cabinet paper presented on the advice of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says the tour guides registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) will be given an allowance of Rs. 20,000 each and the registered drivers an allowance of Rs. 15,000 each.

The applications are available on the SLTDA website, the Minister said. Apart from...