Colombo:A special meeting was held at the Ministry of Defence to discuss the feasibility of the proposed Tourism for Heritage, Resilience, Inclusion, and Value-driven Employment (THRIVE) Project, which aims to transform Colombo and the Western Province into a vibrant tourism destination. The meeting was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) and Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Eng. (Dr) Asiri Karunawardena.

According to Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, the discussion focused on developing a comprehensive master plan for the project, emphasizing the need for effective coordination and collaboration among government institutions and stakeholders.

Defence Secretary Thuyacontha underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration in formulating development plans and highlighted the significance of security considerations in tourism initiatives. Meanwhile, Secretary Karunawardena stressed the need for close cooperation among relevant institutions to advance the project.

The meeting served as a platform for stakeholders to exchange views and identify key considerations for further assessment and development of the THRIVE Project.

Attendees included representatives from the World Bank, senior officers from the tri-forces and Sri Lanka Police, senior officials from the Ministries of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, and Foreign Affairs, along with the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation, the Municipal Commissioner of the Colombo Municipal Council, and officials from the Urban Development Authority, CMC, and the Ministry of Defence.