Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Wednesday, 15 June 2022 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Come the worst-ever economic crisis of the country, the two foremost political leaders appear to be fumbling in sincerely going the full distance as required to resolve the catastrophe fast judging by recent initiatives.
Few weeks ago, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe convened a meeting of officials in the agriculture sector to discuss burning issues and immediate solutions. Few days later, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa did the same. The separate meetings exposed duplicity on the part of the top duo and the sheer lack of united effort.
If that can be ignored or forgiven as early day’s amateurism, the duo appears to be obviously missing the point. Last Friday, the President convened the tourism sector officials to discuss pressing issues and ways to address those and come Tuesday, Prime Minister does a repeat.
Officials and the private sector players in the agriculture and tourism sector are shocked by this blatant duplicity, time wasting and unproductive exercises. “Why can’t the President and Prime Minister hold one meeting together with the sector concerned and listen and resolve issues,” was the snappy remark from industry leaders.
Officials alleged that they have to repeat the same presentation at separate meetings and at times conflicting directives and solutions are given.
“It appears that though the President invited Wickremesinghe to be the Prime Minister given the economics-fuelled political crisis, the two are not seen to be working together in fixing urgent issues in critical sectors such as tourism and agriculture,” political analysts opined. “Crisis or not, they are playing petty politics at the expense of suffering people,” they added.
“Given the seriousness of the economic crisis, ideally the President and Prime Minister if at all should together meet key sectors individually or collectively and convey one message and engage in joint dialogue and problem solving,” analysts emphasised. Contrary to the divided duo’s different ways, their Poson day messages however stressed the need for working together. The President in his message called on people to work together to overcome challenges whilst the Prime Minister called on people to unite with determination to rebuild Sri Lanka as a stable and developed nation.
Post his meeting on Friday with the tourism sector, President’s Media in a statement said that the President has emphasised that the tourism sector needs to be rapidly uplifted as it is an important sector that affects the national economy as well as the job security of a large number of people.
The President also stressed on the importance of correcting misinformation about the country by Sri Lankan Missions overseas.
The President also instructed to address the fuel problem faced by the people engaged in the tourism industry. The officials also pointed out the need to address the gas shortage faced by large, medium and small-scale hoteliers.
It was also discussed the possibility of the tourism industry gaining more attention by promoting our attractive locations for films.
Yesterday post his meeting with the tourism sector, the Prime Minister’s Media said Wickremesinghe instructed officials to prepare a plan to attract tourists from India for the next six months. He also requested the relevant authorities to make arrangements for the resumption of operations of the Palaly Airport.
The Prime Minister also instructed the relevant stakeholders to engage in youth awareness programs as many employees in the hospitality sector have already left for other locations and the number of new recruits to hotel schools in the country has come down drastically.
The Prime Minister also discussed the possibilities of organising cultural festivals which will provide a unique opportunity to create new employment opportunities and allow the tourists to immerse themselves in the local cultures.
He urged the public sector tourism officials to work towards improving the Galle Literary Festival to attract more authors and literary lovers from all over the world.
Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said that he had already held discussions with the diplomatic community to compel the relevant countries to lift the existing tourism restrictions on Sri Lanka. He added that promotional shows with local and international celebrities are planned to attract foreign tourists with a focus on Indian tourists.
With Sri Lanka targeting around 2.5 million tourists by 2025 with an expected revenue of $ 3.5 billion, the Prime Minister urged all stakeholders to formulate long-term plans to attract around 1.5 million high-level tourists. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) said it expects to attract around 800,000 tourists for the rest of the year, with an estimated revenue of $ 800 million.
For coverage on Prime Minister's meeting with agriculture sector officials see ft.lk/front-page/PM-says-600-m-needed-to-ensure-adequate-fertiliser/44-735544 and report on President's meeting with the same officials see https://www.ft.lk/top-story/President-spearheads-measures-to-boost-food-security/26-735548.
President Rajapaksa chairing meeting with tourism industry on 10 June
PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and Tourism Minister Harin Fernando yesterday
Sri Lanka Tourism officials at Friday's meeting with President Rajapaksa
Sri Lanka Tourism officials at Prime Minister's meeting yesterday
Prime Minister's meeting with agriculture sector on 27 May
President Rajapaksa during his meeting with agriculture sector on 30 May
