Delft Island to be Lanka’s first zero-emission ecotourism destination

The Government has initiated plans to develop Delft Island into Sri Lanka’s first zero-emission ecotourism destination, with a strong focus on sustainability, environmental conservation and the preservation of its unique natural and cultural heritage.

A special site inspection and stakeholder discussion on the proposed development was held under the leadership of Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe.

Renowned for its Dutch-era ruins, archaeological landmarks and iconic wild horses roaming freely across the island, Delft Island possesses significant tourism potential.

The initiative aims to transform the island into a model sustainable tourism destination while safeguarding its historical, cultural and environmental assets for future generations.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Ranasinghe said Delft Island should be experienced not only by international visitors but also by domestic tourists. Despite its attractions, the island has so far made only a limited contribution to Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.

He emphasised the Government’s commitment to unlocking Delft Island’s tourism potential through sustainable and environmentally responsible development.

Discussions focused on identifying priority infrastructure needed to position Delft Island as a premier tourism destination. Key areas included improving water supply, roads, transportation and accessibility, while strengthening community participation by enhancing the knowledge and hospitality skills of local residents so they can benefit from tourism development.

The Deputy Minister stressed that environmental sustainability would remain the cornerstone of the development strategy. The Government’s vision is to establish Delft Island as a flagship zero-emission tourism destination that showcases responsible tourism practices, promotes renewable and sustainable solutions, and serves as a model for environmentally friendly tourism development in Sri Lanka.

The programme was attended by Jaffna District MP Ilankumaran Karunanathan, Dr. Sribavanadarajah Shanmuganathan, Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy, representatives of local political authorities, the Divisional Secretary of Delft, government officials and members of the local community.

Officials from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) also participated in the visit and discussions.

The proposed initiative marks an important step towards positioning Delft Island as one of Sri Lanka’s most distinctive sustainable tourism destinations, where environmental conservation, cultural heritage preservation and community-based tourism development come together to create a world-class visitor experience.