In a significant move to strengthen Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, young hospitality leader Dileep Mudadeniya has been appointed as the Chairman of the newly formed Tourism Advisory Committee. The committee is established under Section 32 of the Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005 and is tasked with advising the government on strategic and sustainable tourism development in line with the National Tourism Policy.
Dileep Mudadeniya, who currently serves as the Senior Vice President at John Keells Holdings PLC, will lead a panel of prominent industry professionals, academics, and stakeholders to guide the sector’s growth. The committee aims to ensure a holistic approach to achieving national tourism goals, with a focus on sustainable development.
The committee members include Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam, Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management and Convention Bureau Chairman Dheera Hettiarachchi, SriLankan Airlines CEO Richard Nuttall, and Senior Director General – Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Dharshana M. Perera.
Other distinguished members include University of Colombo’s Professor D.A.C. Suranga Silva, Sabaragamuwa University’s Professor Sarath Munasinghe, renowned chef and restaurateur Dharshana Munidasa, Nuwara Eliya Hotels Company Deputy Chairman Gerard George Ondaatjie, Chandra Wickramasinghe of Connaissance de Ceylon and Thema Collection, Nihal Muhandiram of EKHO Hotels and Galle Face Hotels Group, Lasantha de Fonseka of Tiesh Ltd., Ajith Perera of Craft Tunnel, and Donald Rajapaksha from the Chamber of Tourism and Industry.
For 2025, Sri Lanka has set an ambitious target of attracting three million visitors and generating $5 billion in income from tourism. Looking ahead, the government aims to welcome five million tourists by 2030.
Following a challenging period, Sri Lanka’s tourism industry showed remarkable resilience in 2024 by recording 2.05 million tourist arrivals and earning over $3.2 billion—a 52.38% year-on-year increase. The new committee is expected to play a vital role in building on this momentum and driving sustainable growth in the years ahead.
