National Sustainable Tourism Certification workshop held in Jaffna

Ministry of Tourism and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) have initiated the National Sustainable Destination Certification (NSDC) scheme to transform nine chosen destinations in all nine provinces in the Country. Technical and financial assistance is provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The importance of the programme is to consider sustainability as a key driver to preserve and conserve the Island's natural and cultural heritage to safeguard the destination for the people and visitors for now and future.

At initial stage, the certification scheme will be implemented in one destination per province. As such, Delft Island is selected from Northern Province for this certification. The objective of the workshop is to identify available resources, finalise the action plan with the stages of implementation and raise awareness of the stakeholders.

A workshop was held on 02nd August 2021 from 8.30am to 5.00pm at the Thinnai Hotel, Jaffna. Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism Mr.S.Hettiarachchi, Chief Secretary to the Northern Province Mr.S.M.Saman Bandulasena, District Secretary of Jaffna District Mr.K.Mahesan, National Programme Officer of UNDP Mr.Ramith Wijethunga, Divisional Secretary to the Delft Mr.Sathiyasothy, Chairman of Tourism Bureau Mr.Stanley Mascarinhas, Director Tourism Bureau Mr.S.Mohanabavan, several Government officials and more than 35 community members from Delft Island also participated in the workshop.