Sagala gets tough on southern tourism trade

Friday, 20 April 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Says registration under SLTDA a must for hotel owners in Southern Province
Calls on Government authorities to enforce law and order for liquor shop operators, events utilising loud speakers
Directs establishment of committee headed by Southern Development Board, first meeting scheduled for 26 April at Divisional Secretariat office in Weligama
To hold discussions with Tourism Development, Law and Order Ministers to ensure safety of tourists, further develop lucrative leisure industry in Southern Province

By Charumini de Silva

In a hard-hitting move Southern Development and Youth Affairs Minister Sagala Ratnayake directed all hotel and restaurant owners in the Southern Province to strictly adhere to the registration process of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

He pulled no punches while addressing a gathering of around 100 tourism industry stakeholders of the Southern Province and government officials at a meeting held in Kamburugamuwa, Matara yesterday in the wake of the assault and alleged sexual harassment of four young Dutch tourists and four Israeli nationals by local ‘beach boys’ in the tourist hotspot of Mirissa and Midigama.

“All hotels, restaurants, eating places, liquor shops, surf equipment hiring centres, home stay units and other services related to tourism must register under the umbrella of the SLTDA,” he said.

He also urged the Government authorities to fully enforce law and order for liquor shop operators using the Excise Department regulations as well as for events operating loud speakers to prevent sound pollution.

The Minister directed all tourism industry stakeholders in the area, together with government institutions, to setup a committee to uplift the tourism sector in the province headed by the Southern Development Board.

The first meeting of the committee is scheduled to be held on 26 April at the Divisional Secretariat Office in Weligama, Matara.

Noting that what happened in Mirissa and Midigama was unwarranted, he stated that it tarnished the goodwill of Sri Lanka Tourism.

Ratnayake said he would have further discussions with the Tourism Development Minister and Law and Order Minister to ensure the safety of tourists as well as to develop the lucrative tourism industry in the Southern Province.

In addition, tourism industry stakeholders in the area also lamented about their woes and challenges to the authorities, particularly with regard to lack of space, loud parties which create sound pollution and the cultural issues they face.