HOW TO FAST TRACK DOLLAR INCOME GENERATION
Posted on December 21st, 2025
By Dr Sarath Obeysekera Chairman .Advisory Board fir EDB to develop Marine and Offshore Industry
1. Purpose
Sri Lanka is currently facing a severe shortage of foreign currencycreating hardships to the people in the country .Conventional foreign income generating avenues such as tourism,export of garments ,coconut products ,export of teas and spices are not performing .
Earlier, a few decades ago, casinos were not that common and casino cruises were negligible. In order to find a casino, a person would have to travel to that location where they were legal. But now the gambling scenario has changed altogether and several countries have taken the initiative to legalize gambling around the world.
It is timely identify unconventional methods of generating much needed foreign currency by way of inviting foreign investors to enter into agreements with the Tourism Ministry and affiliated government institutions to entice more foreign visitors to Sri Lanka on Casino Tours
2. Responsibility
Newly appointed minister of Investment Promotion shall be entrusted to initiate a program to fast track the tourist traffic from China and India by creating certain entertainment venue for the tourists to spend few days in cities of Galle and Colombo in addition to visiting historical locations within the country,with the support of Sri Lanka Tourism Board ,Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Sri Lanka Navy.
3. Methodoly
”Star Cruises is a subsidiary of Genting Hong Kong which is a leading global leisure, entertainment, and hospitality company. It is a huge company in the Asia Pacific cruise industry and it has been operating its fleet since 1993. It is known to take the bold initiative of growing the region as an international cruise destination offering a large fleet of six vessels including SuperStar Virgo, SuperStar Aquarius, SuperStar Libra, SuperStar Gemini, Star Pisces and, The Taipan.
Star Cruises’ dedication to offering world-class services and facilities can be witnessed in a host of recognitions and accolades received over the past few years. These include its induction into the prestigious Travel Trade Gazette’s Travel Hall of Fame” for a ninth year in 2016 in recognition of bagging Best Cruise Operator in the Asia-Pacific” for 10 consecutive years. This cruise has recently been voted Asia’s Leading Cruise Line” at the World Travel Awards for the fifth year in a row in 2016.
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