Govt. considers extending tax break for tourism
The government is to consider extending the free visas policy in future and removal of taxes for the tourism industry as it has been severely hit by a lack of tourist arrivals following the COVID-19 outbreak.
During a meeting held with officials of the state tourism, airport and civil aviation agencies and Industrial Exports and Investment Promotion, Tourism and Aviation Minister Prasanna Ranatunga this matter was taken up for discussion, an official present at the meeting said.
In this context the Minister had called on the relevant authorities to submit their recommendations for the extension on the removal of the Tourism Development Levy and the Airport Tax and a further adoption of free visas for a number of countries in the future. This will be submitted for cabinet approval in about two weeks’ time.
Discussion on the adoption of global health regulations and standards as recommended by global health authorities were taken up in view of using these in future travel and tourism.
In this respect passengers were to submit a valid COVID-19 health report obtained 24 hours prior to departure in future and aircraft landing should adhere to global health practices under the present conditions.
SriLankan Airlines is set to resume its scheduled cargo operations from May 15 and expectations are on the cards to resume airport operations from June. Minister Ranatunga had pointed out that health authorities need to be consulted in implementing these recommendations.
In this respect, the minister said that a proposal should be submitted by the airport authorities on how the airport operations could recommence and a further combined report on going forward post COVID by all these state institutions.
In another meeting with the Export Development Board (EDB) and the Board of Investment (BOI) Minister Ranatunga stated there could be no lay-offs and no factory should stop work.
He pointed out that factories should continue their work and should adhere to the recommended health guidelines else factories will be shut down, the official said.
In this respect, he asked for recommendations and proposals for continuing the operations of the factories in the Free Trade Zones (FTZ). Currently, it was stated that there are 249 factories in operation of the 287 in the zones and a total of 5229 workers are reporting to work from a total of about 13,700 employed.
The Minister had pointed out that the apparel sector needed to find new markets and new products under the present conditions to go ahead and he recommended this matter be discussed with the BOI and the EDB.
Further he had noted that factories would have been closed even under normal circumstances for two weeks in April and then one more week during the Vesak holiday week and believed there could not be any big impact on the factories.
The minister requested the relevant agencies to submit recommendations and proposals within two weeks for continuing their operations.