Industry Associations write to President asking for removal of SL Tourism Chief

Leading and most represented industry associations have written to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa asking for the removal of Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando.

They are the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL), Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL), Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference Exhibition and Event Organisers (SLAPCEO), Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka (ASMET)

Listing 13 points the five associations have said that continuing to have Fernando at the helm of the industry will “certainly contribute to the downfall” of the only industry that has the potential to generate much-needed foreign exchange in the short term. 

“We aspire to have a leader who will unify the industry stakeholders and work together with them to achieve industry goals,” said the joint letter signed by SLAITO President Thilak Weerasinghe, THASL President M. Shanthikumar, TAASL President Sabry Bahaudeen, SLAPCEO President Imran Hassan and ASMET General Secretary Prebudda Jayasinghe.

Having worked with the current Chairperson over the past two years and judging by her actions so far, the industry association said they are convinced beyond doubt that the right leadership required to achieve the target, is not in place.

The salient points raised by the industry include:

1. Creating division amongst the industry stakeholders and disrupting the harmony of the industry, whereas the Chairperson should have steered the industry and created a unified front to generate the much-needed foreign exchange for the country

2. Complete absence of leadership and direction in a time of need when the industry is faced with calamity: E.g. 1) Chairperson's complete absence during the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020 and 2) During the current fuel and power crisis, Chairperson has not taken any action to assist the industry

3. Does not provide direction and collaboration with the industry stakeholders to resolve problems that are currently faced

4. Chairperson lacks initiative and discourages avenues that promote the country and revenue to the destination. E.g. The Chairperson's letter of request to the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Moscow to discourage Russian Tour Operators from promoting Sri Lanka

5. Lack of initiative to commence the Global Promotional Campaign approved in January 2020

6. Initiating a new Tourism Policy with UNDP for a 95% private sector driven industry without consulting the private sector

7. Instantaneous change of the Tourism Act without informing the stakeholders and without incorporating the input of the industry stakeholders

8. Forming multiple insignificant associations that do not represent the industry's financial contributors (those that pay the Tourism Development Levy) with the main intention to dilute the representation of the apex bodies of the industry to get the new Tourism Act approved

9. Approval of inconsistent Board minutes that do not detail the actual facts discussed which misleads the decision-makers

10. Disclosing confidential information such as Minister's expenditure, ministerial land application, requests on social media, bringing disrepute to the Government

11. Wasting TDL money on private counsel for court cases that have arisen due to a conflict of interest with the position held as the Chairperson. E.g. Contempt of Court charges related to the leasing of land in Yala adjoining Wild Coast Tented Lodge which is a property owned by the Chairperson’s spouse’s family.

12. Lack of interest and initiative to work with the national carrier to promote the destination