Sri Lanka expects 4 million tourists in 2012

About 4 million tourists would visit Sri Lanka next year, a top tourism official said.

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority expected an influx of tourists next year that would be equal to 20 percent of the country’s population, the Additional Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Dilip Mudadeniya said.

Speaking at a press conference to announce the All Island National Debating Tournament organized by Royal College, ‘Tharka’ 2011, which is scheduled to be held on the 12, 13 and 14 February this year, Mr. Mudadeniya said that the student community of the county would gain knowledge about the tourism industry and its outlook through the programme.

The tournament expects the participation of 6000 schools Island wide. The three-day tournament consists of three main events, the parliamentary style debating tournament, the special musical extravaganza and the Colombo city tour for students from outstation schools.