Demise of Prema Cooray, great loss to tourism industry: THASL

Monday, 29 April 2024 01:48 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Prema Cooray

The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) said yesterday the demise of Prema Cooray was a great loss to the tourism industry.

Cooray, a tourism industry veteran passed away last week in a private hospital. His funeral will be held today. He was once the livewire of leisure-rich Aitken Spence Plc and was the Chairman of Citrus Leisure Group at the time of his death. THASL President M. Shanthikumar and the Management Committee in a statement said Cooray’s passion for the industry was known by all. An individual who never hesitated to take a lead role in addressing challenges that threatened industry growth.

Following are excerpts from THASL’s statement.

He contributed immensely to the hotel industry in Sri Lanka. He was an executive committee member of The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) and thereafter was appointed to serve as the President of THASL from the year 1988 to 2000.

Cooray served in many high-profile boards and committees which addressed issues of national interest, especially during the 30-year civil conflict in the country and post return of peace. He was the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau (SLCB) where he pioneered the efforts to target the Indian MICE market which he believed had the potential to make a huge difference to the growth in tourism in Sri Lanka. Thereafter, he went on to be the Director General/CEO of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

In recognition of his contribution, he was awarded the ‘Legend of Tourism’ award by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2011. In the year 2022, Cooray was the recipient of the ‘Life time achievement award’ from THASL.

As a past Chairman of Aitken Spence and Company, he also led Aitken Spence to be a leading player in development of resorts in both Sri Lanka and then entering the Maldives as the 1st Sri Lankan Hotel Company. He played a pivotal role in pioneering sustainable development with its flagship Kandalama Hotel, which became a global case study. Continuing his active role in 2022, he authored his book ‘Kandalama; the untold story’ which gives a vivid description of the challenges and the perseverance which led to building this world-renowned property by none other than Architect Geoffrey Bawa. It is stated that Kandalama hotel was the best expression of Bawa’s works, which won many global accolades.

Prema Cooray is remembered for his contribution to the development of the Rainforest Lodge near Sinharaja forest and his voice on the importance of private sector representation in the national tourism development process which was brought about by the 2005 Tourism Act. He also played a lead role in re-profiling Sri Lanka as a destination going beyond the beaches by identifying the Islands diverse attractions for tourism.

We will miss this highly respected industry professional whose contribution will be remembered with gratitude by all of us in the tourism industry.

May his soul rest in eternal peace!