SLAITO, SL Tourism battle continues

• Private sector tells Kimarli not to change the subject to irrelevant Sri Lanka Tourism Board seats at a time of crisis

Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando’s allegation that Sri Lanka Association Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conf-erence and Exhibition Organisers (SLACEO) are

SLAITO Immediate Past President Maahen Kariyawasan

Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando

opposing the change of the Act to protect Board Seats has been described by the industry as “baseless and an attempt to change the focus from the real situation.”

“We as responsible associations representing the real stakeholders who bring in the tourists and the much needed foreign exchange to the country, have numerous pressing issues to tackle, at this point of time, as an industry, faced with logistical issues such as obtaining fuel, electricity and gas, when the Easter Holiday tourist traffic to the island is in full swing, to ensure a smooth holiday for our clients,” SLAITO Immediate Past President Maahen Kariyawasan said.

The Association has also in writing expressed its comments to Fernando in response to the Daily FT article of 7 April titled ‘Tourism Chief tells SLAITO, SLAPCEO to support industry than disrepute’ (ft.lk/travel-tourism/Tourism-Chief-tells-SLAITO-SLAPCEO-to-support-industry-than-disrepute/27-733132) and Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson’s letter on 5 April.

“It is common sense that in a crisis situation faced by an industry, any intelligent person holding a position similar to that of the Chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism would have immediately called for an urgent meeting of the stakeholders to find solutions to these issues and ensure smooth operation of the industry. Instead, the industry has been left to its own resources, to sort out industry problems. 

“This has not been our experience with previous chairpersons, who always worked together with the stakeholders in a crisis. There was no situation report to be sent to our clients or prospective visitors to the country. We as responsible associations are apolitical, with no affiliations to any political party and with no other agendas, other than to bring in the tourists and much needed foreign exchange to the country,” Kariyawasan added.

“We request that the Chairperson take note that the SLAITO President is overseas at the moment as already communicated to her and not in hiding, as alleged by the chairperson. The affairs of the association are being carried out by the Immediate Past President, the two Vice Presidents and the Executive Committee. 

“As a political appointee, to a public enterprise, we urge the Chairperson, not to play to the gallery and instead to conduct herself in a dignified manner, in line with the position she holds,” Kariyawasan said.

In a statement separately, SLAITO said its President Thilak Weerasinghe has returned to the country after a five-day overseas trip.

Weerasinghe had informed the Committee of Management of SLAITO that he was travelling overseas on work during this period over three weeks ago and, placed the running of the affairs of the association in the hands of the Committee during his absence.

“SLAITO recognised by the Tourism Act as the Apex Body, representing the DMC industry in Sri Lanka, is a non-political association with a proud history, and are happy to state, categorically that none of our Presidents, including Weerasinghe, ever brought politics, into the association. He always leads from the front for the benefit of all industry stakeholders, particularly in these turbulent times,” the statement said.

“SLAITO vehemently condemns the baseless and irresponsible statement made last week by Kimarli Fernando, Chairperson Sri Lanka Tourism, that Weerasinghe was hiding overseas. We urge the Chairperson to refrain from making irresponsible statements and to conduct herself in a manner befitting the public office she holds,” the statement added.