Financial Times

Sri Lanka’s two main tourism industry associations have asked Tourism Minister Anura Bandaranaike to implement the Tourism Act of 2005 without any amendments or scrap it entirely plus remove provisions in other laws where the private sector funds marketing of the tourism product.

The Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) and the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) in the joint letter has said that implementation of the Tourism Act No.38 of 2005 which was “piloted by you and approved unanimously by parliament will be beneficial to the industry and conducive to its advancement and development. Needless to say the members of both our associations will be disappointed if the Act is not implemented as much thought and effort has gone in to this important exercise over a long period of time.”

It said that the two associations were therefore appealing to the minister to consider bringing that Act into operation without any amendments.

“However, if you are inclined to change the law that you enacted, we humbly request you to consider repealing the whole of it as well as the relevant provisions in the Finance Act No.25 of 2003 so that the private sector that is responsible for 99% of the whole industry is able to plan and conduct its marketing, out of its own resources,” the letter said.

Currently the operations of the Tourism Board are run on the cess and other compulsory levies collected from the industry. Copies of the letter have been sent to the President and the Treasury Secretary.