Sri Lanka is keen on seeking Qatari investment in tourism, power and health sectors, says Rajitha Senaratne, Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine, who is on a two-day visit to the country. 

Senaratne met with H E Ali Sherif Al Emadi, Minister of Finance, and discussed investment opportunities in the tourism and power sectors. 

Discussions also focused on the tax relaxations introduced by the Sri Lankan government for foreign investors. 

“I met with the minister of finance and had a very fruitful discussion and he was very keen to invest in Sri Lanka’s tourism and power sectors,” said Senaratne at a press conference held yesterday at the Sri Lankan embassy in Doha. 

“Also, there was a proposal by Qatari investors to develop one of our islands, which is a major tourism attraction. This proposal was not processed by the Sri Lankan side. This was taken during the discussions with the finance minister and also I explained new policies of our government. We have removed the land tax for foreign investors and foreigners can invest without paying any additional taxes,” Senaratne said. 

He will meet H E Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, the Minister of Public Health, today and is expected to discuss recent developments and infrastructure investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s health sector. 

“During discussions with the health minister, I will explain about infrastructure opportunities within the health sector such as in manufacturing drugs and developing hospitals. We have started manufacturing many drugs which are now being imported and it is an area where investment opportunities are wide,” said Senaratne. 

Sri Lanka has free health care and has increased the health care expenditure from 1.8 percent to three percent of the GDP. The country is constructing a cancer care hospital with German investment. The hospital would provide advanced treatment methods such as Photodynamic therapy (PDT). Also, a kidney transplant and nephrology centre is being developed with Austrian aid at Sri Lanka’s national hospital which has the capacity of 4,500 beds. 

Also, Sri Lanka is seeking to develop the country as a hub for alternative medicine among tourists, including from Qatar. 

“We have hotels dedicated to natural treatment. It’s a main attraction for health tourism in the country and is very popular among Germans and tourists from the Nordic countries,” said Senaratne. 

He will also meet the president of Qatar Red Crescent today and discuss ways in which Qatar could help Sri Lanka in treating people with chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology in the dry zone that has killed 20,000 people in 20 years. At present, Sri Lanka providing free medical care including dialysis for the patients. 

Senaratne’s visit to Qatar comes prior to Sri Lankan President Maithripla Siresena’s visit scheduled for next month.

(The Peninsula)