India, June 17 -- Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has announced that the government is launching a new tourism development initiative focused on empowering rural communities and enhancing the capacity of local tourism service providers.

She made this statement during the inaugural ceremony of the China-Sri Lanka-Maldives Tourism Forum, held on June 16 at Cinnamon Life Hotel in Colombo under the theme "Connectivity and Collaborative Success along the Silk Road."

In her address, the Prime Minister emphasized that the forum aims not just to boost economic growth through tourism, but also to deepen cultural ties, human connection, and regional collaboration across South Asia.

Dr. Amarasuriya highlighted the rich tourism offerings of...