Points of concern

Is management of the tourism industry unravelling? Many would view this as hyperbole, but several aspects of the sector have conjoined to put a slight shadow over this vibrant and vital export.

Despite two-thirds of April being gone, Sri Lanka Tourism has failed to release data of tourist arrivals for the months of February and March, raising concerns in the industry that the numbers are being “cooked”. Sri Lanka Tourism has vehemently denied this and insisted that the delay is due to being short-staffed, even though they had previously managed to release data promptly despite the shortcoming.

Dual concerns should prompt the Sri Lankan Government to fast-track crimes committed against tourists, as is clearly evidenced by the current events unfolding over the murder of a British traveller on Christmas Day 2011 with his girlfriend now joining the quest for justice.

One obvious outcome would be that the growing shadow over Sri Lanka’s human rights and independence of the Judiciary would be made lighter. This would undoubtedly make inroads at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions and give credibility to the Government’s claims for safeguarding rule of law.

In addition, and perhaps most importantly, it would end the political impunity in Sri Lanka and empower the masses to be treated as equals. As the country banks on tourism, the increased attacks that are taking place on tourists would seriously hurt lucrative earnings if not nipped in the bud.

In March, the brother of murdered British tourist Kuram Shaikh together with British MP Simon Danczuk visited Sri Lanka to find out what progress has been made 15 months after his brother’s death. Nasir made a deeply emotional appeal to the Sri Lankan Government to provide justice to his dead brother. Now his Russian girlfriend Victoria Tkacheva (24) has broken her silence and told media about her harrowing experience of being raped, allegedly by the same men who murdered her boyfriend. The damage this incident is doing to tourism is immeasurable, but the Government chooses to be deaf.

Eight suspects including Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman (UPFA) Sampath Vidanapathirana were arrested for allegedly killing the British national and sexually assaulting his girlfriend. Under pressure to maintain one of the country’s most lucrative industries, the ruling party initially expelled Vidanapathirana but later quietly allowed him to re-enter its ranks.

This spate of events, Danczuk frankly noted, was a cause of concern, as it smacked of political patronisation. Danczuk insisted that he would continue to call on British Prime Minister David Cameron to boycott the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November and would even write to the Queen calling her attention to this sad state of affairs.

This disgruntlement was worsened by the refusal of Sri Lanka’s Senior Ministers to meet with the pair, despite early requests. Even President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa had received requests that were denied. This was in stark contrast to Nasir’s first visit when he was personally assured by the President that the offenders would be dealt with quickly and effectively. Such mistakes could have deep repercussions for Sri Lanka’s international reputation and economy, but at first glance it would seem that no one cares. Lacklustre destination marketing, environmental degradation, worsening governance and corruption are all other elements of this darkening cloud.