“The Virgin Girl and the Tourism Secretary”

As the President of the Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka, I wish to draw your kind attention to the article that appeared in the Daily FT of 4 August 2011 by ‘The Doorman’ on the above heading.

As the head of the association which invited Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary to the Ministries of Economic Development and Finance and Secretary to the Treasury, to deliver the keynote address at the THASL AGM function, it is my duty to place the following as the entire article is out of context.

The comment attributed to the “virgin girl” was indeed to say that our beaches are higher or superior to that of our competitors. Any reasonably thinking person will definitely understand this comparison with any other “girl on the beach”.

I will be failing in my duty if I do not place my appreciation as the President of THASL and on behalf of the association to Dr. Jayasundera for solving most of the burning issues faced by the hospitality industry under the guidance of Hon. Basil Rajapaksa and Hon. Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena.

It must be noted that the Government, particularly Dr. Jayasundera, was instrumental in getting the Destination Marketing Strategy formulated in promoting Sri Lanka on the lines of compactness of the country, diversity and authenticity.

The comment made by Dr. Jayasundera comparing the tourism sector to the apparel sector could be considered as a challenge made to the hospitality industry, to do better in reaching the mark of one billion dollars.

I do not to wish to comment on the remarks made by “The Doorman” with regard to the food and beverages served and how consumed, which is most unpalatable.

I shall be much grateful if you publish this in your esteemed paper, giving the same prominence given to the subject article by “The Doorman”.



Anura Lokuhetty

President – Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka.