Bouquet for Prasanna from THASL President, brickbats for SL Tourism over inaction, lack of consultation

• ADB cancels Annual Summit previously scheduled for Sept. in SL 
• Industry estimates Rs. 1 b loss of revenue 

Tourism and Public Security Minister Prasanna Ranatunga

The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka President M. Shanthikumar

The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka and Senior Hotelier M. Shanthikumar yesterday congratulated Prasanna Ranatunga for being reappointed as the Minister of Tourism at this very critical juncture.

“Ranatunga has been an exceptionally supportive Minister for the industry during the past three years when the pandemic completely crippled the industry immediately after the Easter Sunday attack on hotels and churches. 

“He led from the front, listened to senior industry stakeholders, and assisted us to get the much-needed support including the Government-backed moratorium to survive during this period,” Shanthikumar said.

He also congratulated the Minister for being given additional responsibility as the Minister of Public Security and to be appointed as the Chief Government Whip.  

“We are confident Minister Ranatunga will give his best to bring back this nation to normalcy, as this is critical for our survival,” THASL Chief said.

According to Shanthikumar, the present political and economic crisis in the country has badly affected the already fallen tourism industry. With no strong Government to lead, protests by the suffering people across the country, the uncertainty of the future with bare essentials not being available, and the daily rising costs, the private sector is at crossroads not knowing how to plan the year ahead. 

For tourism, the industry that drove the much-needed dollars to the country hugely benefitting the SME sector as well is not receiving bookings for the future. It is at a complete standstill as holiday travellers believe the conditions are not the best to travel to Sri Lanka on holiday. Some of the foreign embassies have issued travel advisories for their fellow citizens to avoid travelling to Sri Lanka on holiday as it is a high risk.

This sentiment was endorsed on Monday when the cancellation of the prestigious ADB Annual Conference which was scheduled to be held in September. 

“It is such a pity,” THASL President said. “The estimated revenue loss for the country is approximately Rs. 1 billion. This would have come to the country in the form of foreign exchange,” he added.

THASL Chief also called upon the regulator Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) to step up their actions immediately to avert a complete fall of the tourism industry.

“We saw a good pick up for the destination over the past few months post the end of the pandemic fear in Sri Lanka. All this has now stopped and unless otherwise, the authorities move swiftly in the right direction to negate the possible impact on the tourism industry, we are heading for another disaster,” Shanthikumar warned.

“Let us learn from what happened to the country. Repeated warnings and the leaders did not listen to them and today the country is bankrupt. Our investments are huge in Tourism. Hotel investment alone exceeds $ 15 billion and hoteliers are the highest revenue generators in tourism and employ the highest workforce,” THASL Chief said.

THASL is sending a warning signal that unless the regulator has discussions with the tourism industry stakeholders one on one and learns from how the industry has sustained in the past overcoming crisis situations, Sri Lanka tourism is doomed. 

“There is a lot to be done immediately and though it may be difficult for some to listen to the private sector, the only way out is to patiently listen to the suggestions from the private sector and execute what is deemed fit immediately. After all, it is a totally private sector driven industry, and no one knows more than the people who have been in it for a long period and have invested heavily in developing Tourism.  

“In the best interest of all, we strongly recommend this action with no excuses. This is the only way to sustain the number one net foreign exchange earning industry in Sri Lanka,” THASL Chief Shanthikumar emphasised.