SL Tourism Chief fumes over SLAITO efforts to undermine regulatory authority 

Kimarli Fernando

Thilak Weerasinghe

A hard-hitting letter by Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando this week criticised the efforts by Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) President and members to what she alleged as “undermine” Government Tourism Institutions via series of media releases over the past two years and three months.

In a letter to SLAITO President Thilak Weerasinghe, she listed out seven key opposing initiatives that SLAITO has been conducting such as; 1) to remove unnecessary regulations to support smaller travel agents, 2) to increase tour guides fee forcing them to take commissions from shops, 3) to provide financial support to registered tour guides  and tourist drivers, 4) to the new Tourism Act that would give wider stakeholder consultation, 5) to the dollarisation of tourism which will support all stakeholders and economy, 6) for conducting protests outside Sri Lanka Tourism to stop the new Tourism Act to protect your board seats failure to arrange meetings with SLAITO members with Sri Lanka Tourism despite their request.

The Chairperson pointed out that SLAITO President Thilak Weerasinghe has been on the Government Board for over seven years, when such opportunity could have been shared on a rotation basis by many other associations which are also part of the industry.

“For far too long the tourism industry has been represented by just a few dominant industry bodies mostly influenced by your Association, who executed their agendas over the actual expectations of the industry. It is time we reach the grass root level and give voice to the heroes in the industry that continue to develop tourism despite the many challenges,” Fernando said.

In her letter with copy to Tourism Secretary and Presidents of industry associations, Sri Lanka Tourism Chief urged SLAITO President to abstain from hiding behind media releases and meet with her physically to address the critical challenges the industry is faced with.

“I have personally in the past two years and three months, starting from handling the COVID-19 health pandemic and restarting tourism personally, and my team at Sri Lanka Tourism has been in regular contact with your Association and your members. During the recent crisis whilst you went overseas with your family, my team and I have faced all challenges and met with all stakeholders needing our support and continue to make every effort to rebuild tourism,” she added.

Noting the tourism industry is a critical sector of Sri Lanka’s economy, Fernando said: “I expect that you will provide the necessary leadership from your Association.”