Duminda Kuruwitaarachchi, new Travel Agents’ Association President

The 48th Annual General Meeting of the Travel Agents’ Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL) was held recently at the Holiday Inn Bangkok Silom, Bangkok, Thailand, with 95 participants attending the event. 

Travel Outlook Ltd, Managing Director, Duminda Kuruwitaarachchi was elected President of TAASL for the year 2023 /2024. 

Kuruwitaarachchi's experience of 26 years in the travel industry is a clear indication of his knowledge and expertise in the field that is invaluable to the travel industry. His role as founder of Travel Outlook Ltd. and his leadership in TAASL makes him a noteworthy figure in the industry. His diverse knowledge and experience in airline areas such as airline revenue management, modern marketing, and human resources, along with an MBA and ongoing PhD, showcases his dedication to personal and professional development. He has a well-rounded background that contributes to his success as an entrepreneur in the travel industry.

Yenesha Travels Ltd, Managing Director Shanaka Fernando was elected Senior Vice President of the Association; Skyways Travel Solutions Ltd, Managing Director Tillak Wickremasinghe was elected Junior Vice President; and Alpha Travels & Holidays Ltd, General Manager Wilhelm E. Brown was elected as Treasurer for the year 2023/2024. 

TAASL is the national travel agents body in the country, with representation on the governing boards of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Sri Lanka Institute of Tourist Hotel Management (SLITHM), the Tourism Industry Skills Council and a member of the ‘One Industry One Voice’ initiative in the travel and tourism industry, founded on 22 October 1974. TAASL is an approved Association of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce representing the interests of 126 outbound travel agents in the country. 

The following Executive Council Members were elected at the TAASL Annual General Meeting:

2nd Chance Travels Ltd –Riza Ahamat, Acorn Travels Ltd –Chamila Wijethunge, Aitken Spence Travels Ltd –Nishantha Senaveratne, Classic Travel Ltd - Sabry Bahaudeen, Delair Travels Ltd –Sonali Wijesurendra, George Steuart Travels Ltd –Channe Wijemanne, Scenic Ventures Ltd –Rizwan Ramieze, The Traveller Global Ltd –Rizmi Reyal, Travel Fantasy DMC Ltd –Dishal De Silva and Worldlink Travels Ltd –Danukh Amerasinghe.

B.O.C. Travels Ltd, General Manager/CEO Romesh Samaranayake joins the Executive Council in his capacity as the immediate past President.