Financial Times

Tsunami – put the tragedy behind and move forward
By Deeshani Gooneratne
Sri Lanka is known the world over for its natural splendour … very friendly and hospitable people, variety of climatic conditions where one has the flexibility to choose from the warm golden beaches or the cool breeze that brushes the tea gardens in the hill country within a couple of hours. Colourful coral reefs are one of the earth’s richest biodiversity resources.

A visit to the virgin forests such as Sinharaja, to see the most endangered species in their natural habitats or to take a glimpse of breath taking species of birds in the beautiful setting of Kumana. One can enjoy all of these wonderful sites in comfort, in Echo friendly Luxury hotels and guest houses across the country at a very competitive price.

What are long and short term plans to leverage on our natural resources and compete with other tourist destinations to attract tourists who have diverse interests? What about wild life, nature lovers, water sports, gem lovers, fame for history and the natural geography or high spending golfers?

Long Term Action
* The Tourist Board should hire a Public Relations company to aggressively promote tourism to Sri Lanka. Public Relations Specialists should be appointed in each of the targeted countries to promote tourism

* Encourage entrepreneurs to rebuild all tourist hotels and outlets to international standards and to a proper plan, by giving them grants, long term loans and concessions.

* Launch an accelerated programme to provide good infrastructure facilities such as roads, railway, ports etc.

* Install Cable Cars in places such as Sigiriya, Sripada, Diyalima, Dunhinda falls and Worlds End.

* Develop a Marine Park in the west coast of Sri Lanka.

* Have an arrangement with the luxury liners to make Colombo a destination and sail to and from Sri Lanka to places such as Maldives, India.
The government has a major role to play in stabilizing the political environment, ensuring peace and stability to people visiting Sri Lanka.
Short Term Action

* Request the Tsunami Centre to run a documentary explaining and giving scientific reasons as to why a tsunami cannot occur again in Sri Lanka for a long time and that natural disasters are common to all countries, irrespective of where one lives.

* Run a documentary on CNN showing different parts of Sri Lanka what it is famous for and highlighting opportunities of investment for foreign investors.

* Use the Web to promote the natural beauty and people living a happy life in a peaceful environment, in Sri Lanka.

* Major tour operators to have promotional campaigns at budget rates including air fares, hotel accommodation and tours to historic and scenic places covering most parts of Sri Lanka directed at various categories of people depending on their interest -- wild life and nature lovers on package tours tailormade to individual needs.

* Arrange famous celebrities and/or singers to perform in Sri Lanka and come to an arrangement with the airlines to offer special discounted rates to neighbouring countries and or include a free stop over at another destination.

* Arrange a special package for Leicester students to spend the summer vacation in Sri Lanka.

* Special tours to be arranged for people interested in knowing and seeing places affected by this disaster, share the real life experiences.

* Arrange to interview the tourists visiting Sri Lanka and having a great time; urge them to tell others that there is absolutely no risk or hassle but value for money in visiting this beautiful island nation.

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