Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda requested his Indian counterpart Ambika Soni to promote Indian Buddhist Centers in South India for the use of Sri Lankan tourists, a ministry release said.

He made this request when he called on Indian Tourism and Culture Minister, Ambika Soni yesterday, the release said.

It also said: During their 40 minutes meeting here both the Leaders discussed ways to promote and strengthen bilateral relations in the tourism sector. The visiting dignitary said that India is their largest market and his country is focusing on MICE Tourism and having success in it with the co-operation of Indian Companies. He said his country also wants promotion of some Buddhist centres in South India by India for Sri Lankan Tourists. The Sri Lankan Minister said he is also looking for investment from Indian Hotel chains in Sri Lanka for the construction and promotion of budget hotels.

Minister Soni stressing the importance of historical and cultural ties between the two countries said the Joint Working Group constituted in 2004 for the purpose can discuss and workout the modalities of the promotion of tourism related projects between the two countries. Soni suggested the meeting of the JWG should be convened soon as a follow up of today's meeting. She said Sri Lanka can participate more and more in travel fairs/ marts to promote tourism related activities between the two countries. The Minister said India is promoting Buddhist Circuit Tourism in a big way and spots related to Buddhism are being developed not only in U.P. and Bihar but also in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and North East.

Both the Leaders agreed to convene the meeting of the Joint Working Group between the two countries at a convenient date to accelerate the pace of cooperation in tourism sector.

In 2006 according to provisional estimates, 1,54,813 tourists arrived from Sri Lanka to India and the outbound tourist traffic from India to Sri Lanka in 2005 was 1,13323. Buddhist sites in India are the most attraction sites by the travelers from Sri Lanka.