News - Tourism Bill to be amended despite protests

Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB) Chairman Udaya Nanayakkara said amendments to the newly approved Tourism Bill would be presented in parliament shortly but the move has been criticized by some others in the tourist industry.

Mr. Nanayakkara made this announcement at the 14th AGM of the Hotel and Catering International Management Association (HCIMA), the highest academic body in the hospitality industry worldwide. He said SLTB will revoke the new Tourism Act passed in Parliament in November last year.

Draft amendments to the new Tourism Act was submitted to Tourism Minister Anura Bandaranaike last Wednesday but neither SLTB nor Minister Bandaranaike have conveyed to the industry the recommendations made by the Special Committee appointed by the Cabinet in this regard.

Meanwhile the Tourist Hoteliers Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) and Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SALITO), two major players in the industry are up in arms against this new move by the tourism authorities and call for the approved Tourism Act to be implemented without any changes being made to it. According to sources, some of the amendments recommended are on tourism marketing programmes and the restructuring of the Hotel School. The marketing and promotional activities of SLTB have been re-vested in the Government sector from the proposed private sector participation. Also the state-owned Hotel School would be privatized, against the earlier decision to keep this pioneer property with the State. The industry expressed shock and disappointment over the call to repeal the approved Tourism Act of November 2005. It is learnt that this new Act submitted to the Tourism Minister was done in a rushed manner in a bid to ensure that it would passed by the Cabinet prior to the much expected Cabinet re- shuffle.

Mr. Nanayakkara also said the SLTB has identified two new zones – Kalpitiya and Arugam Bay / Panama as potential areas for development. He said these areas will be developed as new tourist attraction zones and be marketed world wide at the high end of the market.

“Kalpitiya will get new five star properties and private island resorts, international golf courses and top eco-tourism facilities. Some of the investors have already started drawing up plans”, he said.

Panama and Arugam Bay zone will be developed as one of the top water sports locations in the Asia Pacific region, especially for surfing, he said.

Anura Lokuhetty, the CEO of Confifi Group was elected as the new head of HCIMA- Sri Lanka Chapter, while GM of Berjaya Mount Royal Keerthi Wickremasinghe and veteran hotelier Ronald Perera of Heritage Lanka were elected as the new Secretary and new Treasurer respectively