Tourism industry to meet CB Chief next week in search of new relief

Wednesday, 23 June 2021 03:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The tourism industry is set to press for new relief from the Central Bank Governor Prof. W.D. Lakshman on 29 June at a key discussion arranged on the request of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga.

All industry associations have been invited for the meeting with the hope of making a strong case for additional, if not continued, relief from the Central Bank for the tourism sector, which has suffered the most as a result of the on-going COVID pandemic and the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

At present the Central Bank is supporting the tourism industry and others with an extended debt moratorium from banks and finance companies, as well as concessionary working capital.

However, the tourism sector has requested for the write off of outstanding debts or interest waivers, a move which neither the Central Bank nor the Government has agreed to.

Sri Lanka Tourism said concrete support from banking and non-banking financial institutions was critical for the Industry to sustain itself and be ready when travel resumes.