ECONOMYNEXT – The British High Commission and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) have started an online course to improve security awareness in the island’s tourism sector.
The Counter-Terrorism Awareness eLearning Platform offers certification by SLTDA and the British High Commission upon completion.
“As we see a re-growth in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, visitor and staff safety remain top priorities. This eLearning course will empower our professionals to detect and respond to security threats, fostering greater confidence in the capacity of our industry,” SLTDA Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam said.
Key features of the online course include multilingual access (Sinhala and Tamil), comprehensive content and flexible learning (the 60-90-minute online course is accessible anytime).
Modelled on the UK’s Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) initiative, the course equips tourism professionals with the skills to identify and address potential threats, ensuring a safer environment for visitors and locals.
“This training will help improve security practices in the tourism industry, building confidence in security awareness,” Acting British High Commissioner for Sri Lanka, Lisa Whanstall said.
“We know this is important to local communities and to travellers. We hope to see British visitor numbers continue to rise in the years ahead.”
Building on previous counter-terrorism training, this eLearning platform is part of an ongoing effort to reinforce safety and bolster Sri Lanka’s reputation as a secure and welcoming destination.
“Tourism is vital to our economy, and a secure environment is essential for both visitors and locals. This programme is a crucial step towards preparing our industry for future challenges,” Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe said.
The British High Commission urged tourism professionals to enroll to better prepare their teams for potential security challenges and improve overall safety standards.
For more information or to register, visit www.ctatraining.lk or contact the Standards and Quality Assurance Division of the SLTDA. (Colombo/Mar6/2025)