Ranil’s Earl hired by Tourism Ministry

John Earl, whose services were acquired by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe during the 1999 Presidential Election campaign, has now been hired as a consultant to the Ministry of Tourism to prepare a new tourism and communications strategy. This follows an invitation by Minister Milinda Moragoda.

New strategy to promote tourism

The new strategy would be aimed at promoting tourism and strengthening key markets such as Britain, Russia, West Asia and India, Tourism Ministry Secretary George Michael said.“Several new projects have already been set up in Seeduwa and Hikkaduwa and we hope to hold discussions with district authorities. A crash programme will soon be launched to strengthen small and medium scale enterprises,” he said.

Mr. Earl, director of Cynosura, a company specialising in advising people and organisations with their personal and corporate communications, spent three years in Sri Lanka when he was brought down by UNP leader Wickremasinghe for publicity work during the 1999 Presidential Election.

He was later named as a consultant to the unit set up to develop a master plan for strategic communication. His monthly salary was believed to be about Rs, 200,000.

Mr. Earl has also undertaken outplacement assignments for senior executives, management coaching and training in a wide range of communication skills around the globe.