President to chair key meeting to finalise reopening of tourism, hotels, restaurants

By Charumini de Silva

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is to chair a meeting today to discuss the reopening of tourism, hotels and restaurants in the country.

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, Secretary S. Hettiarachchi, Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando and top officials from the Health Ministry will be present at the meeting at the Presidential Secretariat.

It will finalise the draft guidelines developed by the health authorities, proposals submitted by the tourism industry and revival plan to boost the industry post-COVID-19.

Tourism Minister last week requested health authorities to provide guidelines to reopen hotels and restaurants which were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) President Sanath Ukwatte said they have requested the Acting IGP and Tourism Ministry to allow them to operate banquette and restaurant business in the immediate future, noting that income from selling rooms are zero at present.

“Our hotels were never closed. It was only closed due to islandwide curfew. No rooms are being sold right now and we are awaiting Government guidelines,” THASL Chief told the Daily FT.

He also said that as the Government have now lifted the day-time countrywide curfew till 10 p.m., they want to find out if the hotel bars can function.

“The Excise Department is yet to clarify with regards to the reopening of bars at the hotel premises and operating hours. Till such time the bars are also closed,” Ukwatte added.

Colombo City Restaurant Collective (CCRC) said that they are looking forward for the reopening.

“We requested to give permission to open our restaurants at least from 1 June under Government guidelines, at the meeting with Minister last week. We are hopeful that the restaurants will be given permission to open to ensure normalcy in people’s lives,” CCRC President Harpo Gooneratne told the Daily FT.

He pointed out that closure of the restaurants for two months has resulted in serious financial and employment difficulties and that they were desperate to get their businesses up and running as soon as possible under strict health guidelines.

Gooneratne also said that some of the cafes and restaurants under CCRC are not registered with SLTDA because they don't serve liquor.

The Government has decided to waive off the annual registration fee of all tourist establishments and individuals listed under the SLTDA for one year, as part of relief and support to revive the sector impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am encouraging all the members to get registered with SLTDA, so that the process becomes very easy. Many have opted not to register because they don’t serve liquor, but there are so many other benefits of being a registered member of the SLTDA particularly at a time like this. Being a SLTDA approved member will also allow to look at alternative revenue options for the businesses,” he added.

At present, there are close to 3,000 lodgings registered under SLTDA, while around 5,500 people provide various services in the tourism industry including tour guides.