Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga addressing the media. (R) Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairperson Kirmali Fernando.

BIA to reopen on Jan 21

By Harischandra Gunaratna

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga yesterday alleged that there were certain MPs in the Opposition who were hell bent on undermining the vital tourism sector while the government was doing everything possible to resurrect the pandemic-hit industry.

“The Opposition is trying to use the industry personnel as scapegoats to meet their political ends,” Ranatunga said, adding those politicians didn’t want the industry to flourish again.

Addressing the media at the Ceylon Hotel School, the Minister said the need of the hour was to explore the opportunities available and woo holidaymakers from every possible country to support the tourism industry which was in dire straits.

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairperson Kirmali Fernando was of the opinion that “We have to start somewhere as any delays would result in our losing what we are to gain.”

It was the responsibility of all stakeholders and each and every one had to cooperate and make concerted efforts to reach that goal, the SLTDA Chairman said.

Responding to queries about proper protocols and guidelines had not been followed where the Ukrainian holidaymakers currently visiting Sri Lanka were concerned, Ranatunga accepted that there were certain shortcomings and they would be rectified.

Asked whether Udayanga Weeratunga, Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador to Russia and the person responsible for organising the Ukranian charter flights to SriLanka had flouted the health guidelines by not following protocols, Ranatunga said if so he too had to be tested.

Ranatunga denied claims that benefits reaped by the industry were not equally distributed among all, but only certain companies and individuals were favoured.

The SLTDA Chairperson defended Tourism Ministry’s decision to invite tourists from Ukraine claiming that only two were tested positive of those who arrived in the two flights from Ukraine so far.

She said the BIA would be reopened on January 21.