Tourism hit by political turmoil

The constitutional standoff has damaged the tourism industry, forcing many Sri Lankans out of their jobs and hotels to incur revenue losses during the upcoming season, UNP MP Prof. Ashu Marasinghe said yesterday while moving an adjournment motion in Parliament on the tourism industry. 

According to MP Marasinghe, who moved the motion under Standing Order 19 (1), development in the tourism industry seen under the Coalition Government has declined during the last 30 days. “The Unity Government was able to develop Sri Lanka to be one of the top destinations in the world. 

Today this has gone down to saying Sri Lanka is not a safe destination to travel to. Many conferences are cancelled. ‘So Sri Lanka’ is a new marketing campaign launched in the UK and now we are unable to make use of that launch. In Sigiriya alone there is a big drop in tourists. Airport arrivals have dropped by 20% a day,” he said.