Business

Developing plans and policies without young people is a futile exercise: UNICEF Sri Lanka

Published

4 years ago

2022/09/28

Sahan Weerasooriya

Series of crises SL has faced have dealt a heavy blow

Reviving presents SL with an opportunity to address its long-running challenges

by Sanath Nanayakkare

Young people are not only the present but also the future; developing plans and policies without them is a futile exercise, they need to be the front and centre of the discussions because they are the ones with fresh ideas and the most at stake, in terms of the sustainability of the planet and the tourism sector, Christian Skoog, Representative, UNICEF Sri Lanka said in Colombo yesterday.

“Here in Sri Lanka, we have a gift. That gift is the 4.4m young people. The contribution young people can make to the tourism sector is immense. But to harness their energy and ideas, there is a need to provide them the skills, training and opportunities to thrive within a dynamic and fast-growing industry,” he said.

“Across the world it is young people who are the hungriest for travel. They are seeking new experiences and looking to broaden their horizons. They serve not only as your potential clientele, they are also your best marketers through tools like social media. Indeed, Sri Lanka has been named one of the world’s most instagramable locations,”

“Rarely has there been such an urgent moment for us to ensure the energy and enthusiasm of young people to contribute to Sri Lanka’s sustainable development is given expression. And rarely has there been such an opportune moment to discuss building back better in the context of sustainable tourism.

Skoog made these points at an event hosted by the Chamber of Tourism and Industry held to mark the World Tourism Day.

Further speaking he said:

“Today we consider how to sustainably revive a sector upon which the livelihoods of so many people depend and we discuss how we can effectively respond to the challenges that confront us. When I learned in late 2020 that I would be appointed to serve as UNICEF Rep in Sri Lanka, I felt invigorated by the prospect of coming. Of course, much of that vigour was related to the work I expected to undertake here. But I confess that part of my excitement came from listening to my friends saying it is “paradise” and “best vacation spot”. Whenever I have had the opportunity to explore Sri Lanka since, I have been captivated by the landscapes, the biodiversity, the food, and the warmth of the people I meet across this island. But of course, I also arrived at a time of profound economic hardship for so many. I know those impacts have been felt deeply across the tourism sector. Many of you have struggled valiantly to keep your businesses running, and to maintain decent livelihoods for workers across the sector: from hoteliers to taxi drivers to souvenir sellers, to tour guides, to wait staff.”

“Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has contended with a succession of adverse events in the past 3 years: 1) The devastating terrorist attacks of Easter 2019 reduced arrivals by 18%. 2) COVID-19 crisis shut borders & paralysed air travel. 3) Conflict in Ukraine entirely cut a tourism market that until recently represented 25% of foreign arrivals. And, of course, economic crisis continues to pose an array of challenges. Reviving tourism in a manner that is sustainable and inclusive is one of the key tools to help us navigate through this crisis.”

“I would like to reiterate the importance of sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka, to touch upon the relationship between sustainable tourism and the SDGs, and mention the role young people can play as we re-think tourism in Sri Lanka.”

“Tourism is a critical component of the economy; it is Sri Lanka’s 3rd-largest source of foreign exchange, and contributed about 5% of GDP, pre-COVID. Tourism is also a major employer of people across the island. In fact, globally, tourism employs one in every ten people.”

“Let’s be under no illusions. The series of crises SL has faced have dealt a heavy blow. But the task we now face in reviving the sector also presents us with an opportunity to address some its long-running challenges.”

“These include over-tourism and other unsustainable practices; contributions to Climate Change; pollution; a loss of biodiversity; and a lack of inclusion. As an island nation with extraordinary biodiversity, Sri Lanka is particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of unsustainable tourism.”

“Indeed, when tourism arrivals plunged during the pandemic, many destinations took the opportunity to reflect on the toll irresponsible or unsustainable practices had on their ecologies; and they resolved to do this differently. We too, should resolve to do things differently.”

“As tourism returns, the demand for ethical and sustainable products and experiences continues to rise. We can no longer consider sustainable tourism offerings as a choice. Costs incurred in adopting practices that benefit the environment and community, need to be looked at as investments which provide the industry with an advantage.”

“The tourism sector, as a whole, needs to focus on marketing Sri Lanka as not only a desirable destination because of its natural beauty, culture and heritage, but also differentiating it as a sustainable destination.”

“I believe that harnessing tourism’s positive contribution to sustainable development and the mitigation of the sector’s adverse effects calls for strong partnerships and decisive action by all tourism stakeholders.”

“Events like this give us an opportunity to build partnerships: to reflect, and to share ideas and strategies. Creating true partnerships of both public and private sector operators in the country is key to our ability to revive the sector and develop sustainable tourism as a tool for a better future for Sri Lanka.”

“With the right safeguards in place, tourism can provide decent jobs, particularly for young people, it can inspire us to protect life on land and life below water, it can help build resilient, gender-equal, inclusive economies and societies that work for everyone. And it can help Sri Lanka thrive,” the UNICEF representative said.

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Related Topics:Christian Skoog Unicef Sri Lanka

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Business

Fifty ninth ADB Annual Meet opens in Samarkand amid global uncertainty

Published

17 hours ago

2026/05/4

Thilina Walpola

Guests from member countries of the ADB arrive at the venue for the 59th Annual Meeting of the Bank in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, yesterday

The 59th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors is set to commence this week, bringing together finance ministers, central bank governors, policymakers and development leaders from across Asia and beyond at a time of mounting global economic and geopolitical uncertainty.

Addressing journalists ahead of the opening sessions, Bernard Woods, Principal Director of the Department of Communications, said the meetings were beginning at a pivotal moment for the world, with fuel markets, food security and fertilizer supply chains coming under strain due to tensions in the Middle East.

He noted that amid rising political and economic fragmentation, regional connections and stronger collaboration have become more important than ever. Against that backdrop, the key sessions and high-level discussions in Samarkand will focus on building collective resilience and strengthening cooperation among member countries.

Among the major themes expected to dominate the agenda are cross-border digital connectivity, cyber security, energy integration, capital market development, transport corridors and the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence to improve resilience and productivity in member economies. Woods also said discussions would examine how resources can be distributed more effectively to meet the unique development priorities of each country.

The official programme features a series of strategic seminars and media events over four days. The opening session of the Board of Governors will include addresses by high profile authorities and subject experts.

Other key sessions include discussions on how capital markets can drive development across Asia and the Pacific, scaling up investments for critical minerals and manufacturing value chains, digital highways for inclusive growth, and pan-Asia transport and power connectivity initiatives.

ADB President Kanda is also scheduled to hold a press conference to announce major new initiatives, while several technical briefings will examine global value chains, private sector operations, digital transformation and regional energy cooperation.

With global shocks increasingly spilling across borders, the Samarkand meeting is expected to underline a central message: that regional cooperation, practical partnerships and timely investment remain essential for sustaining growth and stability across Asia and the Pacific.

By Sanath Nanayakkare in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Business

Nations Trust Bank completes transfer of HSBC Sri Lanka’s Retail Banking Business to its portfolio

Published

17 hours ago

2026/05/4

Thilina Walpola

Nations Trust Bank PLC (NTB) has announced that the transfer of Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation’s (HSBC) Retail Banking business in Sri Lanka to NTB has officially been completed, with the acquired portfolio transitioning to NTB effective 1st May 2026.

NTB has integrated HSBC Sri Lanka’s retail banking customers into its operations, ensuring continuity of service and relationship management. The transition also includes the onboarding of HSBC Sri Lanka staff as part of the integration process. The transition has been carried out with a focus on operational stability and minimal disruption, with ongoing support in place as customers familiarise themselves with their banking arrangements at NTB.

The migration brings approximately 200,000 retail customer accounts under NTB, encompassing savings and current accounts, fixed deposits, credit and debit cards, retail loans and a high‑net‑worth customer segment that now joins Nations Trust Bank Private Banking. Through this transfer, Nations Trust Bank’s countrywide network expands to 96 branches. The transition adds seven branches to the network, with locations in Bambalapitiya, Flower Road, Union Place, and Pelawatte operating as dedicated Private Banking Centres, while three other branches are located in Nugegoda, Jaffna, and Kandy.

To support customers during the transition period, NTB has ensured that multiple access points and support channels remain available. Customers may continue to bank through the nearest NTB branch, contact NTB’s 24-hour Help Desk via +94 11 441 4151, and access digital banking services through the Nations Direct mobile app. Dedicated transfer‑related information and FAQs are also available at https://migration.nationstrust.com

Additionally, arrangements were made to extend branch support across two weekends as part of the transition programme.

Business

Amana Takaful named Sri Lanka’s Most Awarded Insurance Company

Published

17 hours ago

2026/05/4

Thilina Walpola

(L) Siva Karthigun, Chief Executive Officer – General and Gehan Rajapakse, Chief Executive Officer – Life

Amana Takaful Insurance has been recognized as Sri Lanka’s Most Awarded Insurance Company for 2026 by LMD Magazine, marking its third consecutive year of achievement. This recognition reflects the company’s consistent focus on delivering value across both its Life and General businesses, supported by customer-centric solutions, operational discipline, and continued innovation.

Over the years, Amana Takaful has strengthened its market position by enhancing service delivery, investing in digital capabilities, and expanding access to insurance solutions for a wider segment of Sri Lankans.

Commenting on the recognition, Siva Karthigun, Chief Executive Officer – General, stated: “This recognition reflects the discipline and focus we maintain across our operations to deliver consistent outcomes for our customers. Our continued investments in process improvements, digital capabilities, and service excellence have enabled us to strengthen our responsiveness and reliability, ensuring we meet the evolving expectations of our customers across all touchpoints.”

Commenting further, Gehan Rajapakse, Chief Executive Officer – Life, stated: “This recognition reflects the consistency of our efforts in delivering meaningful value to our customers, while continuously strengthening our capabilities across both Life and General businesses. As we move forward, our focus remains on enhancing accessibility, leveraging digital innovation, and ensuring our solutions remain relevant to the evolving needs of Sri Lankans, while maintaining the highest standards of service and reliability.”

Notably, a significant portion of these awards were received for digital excellence, underscoring the company’s continued progress in its digital transformation journey. Amana Takaful’s investments in technology-driven solutions, process automation, and enhanced digital customer experiences have played a key role in strengthening accessibility, efficiency, and service delivery across both Life and General businesses.

The recognition further reinforces Amana Takaful’s standing within the industry, highlighting its ability to sustain performance and adapt in a dynamic environment. For Every Sri Lankan, as one.