• Minister defends Fernando, appreciates her stand to inform higher authorities

Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando

Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando yesterday cleared the air on misconceptions with regards to the pilot project, and called on the industry to work in coordination to implement the guidelines outlined by health authorities.

She admitted that the travel itineraries of the Ukrainian tourists were not shared with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), and that their visit to Yala saw 28 safari drivers ending up in isolation. While acknowledging that the pilot project had some serious shortfalls, she assured that everything had been rectified immediately.

“The pilot project had issues and that is why it is a pilot project. There were more coordination issues rather than fundamental issues. People didn’t know what their role was – travel agents, hoteliers, tour guides, and drivers. However, we took swift measures to rectify them to ensure that the program continued without any major hiccoughs,” Fernando explained at a media briefing, along with Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga. 

“My appeal to the industry is, please work in a way you all share all the information and carry this forward, together. The COVID Task Force extended tremendous support to carry out the pilot project, but we cannot forever expect the armed forces to help us get this right. They also have other tasks and jobs to do. Unfortunately the SLTDA is not in control and it is the private sector who has to implement it. We will help you all day and night to get this right,” Fernando said.

With guidelines to be updated today, she insisted better coordination is required to ensure the reopening of borders will not put the country at stake.

Fernando also explained why she objected to the pilot project. “This is a health pandemic and it is critical to get all protocols approved by the Health Ministry. We only received the guidelines on 26 December after much deliberations. As the Chief of Sri Lanka Tourism, I want every initiative we roll out to be successful and not be jeopardised,” she added.  

When asked if there was no coordination from Sri Lanka Tourism for the pilot project, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga categorically said as the head of the institution, she stood up to the task and brought it under immediate attention of all concerned authorities.

“As the Chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism, she has the right to inform me as the subject Minister and Ministry Secretary and I see no mistake in her writing. However, we see that there are so many other parties that want to convey that there is a rift between the Chairperson and the Minister. The Chairperson took all trouble to make it successful and we appreciate her standpoint,” Ranatunga added.

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