Sri Lankan Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe Receives a Professorship from Sichuan University: A Leader’s Journey Honoured.

Hon. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, has been honoured with a professorship by China’s Sichuan University. This recognises his vital contributions to cultural heritage and tourism. A Sichuan University PhD alumnus (2017), Prof. Ranasinghe founded and led the Department of Tourism Studies at Uva Wellassa University before his Deputy Minister appointment.

During his recent visit, he engaged in discussions on Sri Lanka’s tourism transformation, emphasising sustainable practices and heritage preservation. A key initiative includes integrating Sri Lanka’s National Tourism and Hospitality Research Institute into the China-Sri Lanka Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Cultural Heritage and Tourism. This professorship highlights burgeoning academic collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative, strengthening Sichuan University’s international role and signifying a visionary leader shaping Sri Lanka’s tourism future, potentially inspiring new heritage-focused luxury villas in Galle and accommodations similar to Heenatigala Walawwa.