Business

‘Hotel sector investment in tourism industry exceeding USD 15 billion despite facing stiff challenges’

Published

1 year ago

2024/12/7

Thilina Walpola

M. Shanthikumar: ‘SL in need of global tourism plan’

By Harischandra Gunaratna

President of The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) M. Shanthikumar addressing its members at the organization’s 59th anniversary celebrations recently at the ITC ‘Ratnadipa’ said that the hotel sector investment in Sri Lankan tourism today, amounting to over USD 15 billion, is the highest investment by any sector in the tourism industry, while accounting for 70% of the entire tourism-related workforce.

The highest contribution to government coffers is made by our member hotels. It is by way of TDL payments, taxes, levies, license fees and other payments, he said.

‘Our industry has faced many challenges. We have always shown resilience and come out better. The present time, has been the most challenging after four continuous difficult years since 2019, the THASL president said.

Shanthikumar added: ‘Tourism is a key foreign exchange earner. If the net foreign exchange is assessed, tourism becomes the 2nd highest foreign exchange earner, surpassing even apparel and all other exports. This is due to the consumption of the product happening in the country itself, where the benefit filters down to the grass roots levels. Eg: A tourist arriving in the country not only remits dollars prior to their arrival but spends a large amount of money within the country during their stay. Unfortunately, these figures are not tracked.

‘Dominance of the accommodation providers and their contribution to tourism cannot be underestimated. Hoteliers play a critical part in the overall tourism growth in the country. Not only in Sri Lanka but across the world.

‘THASL is the oldest tourism association in the country and It was set up even prior to the then Ceylon Tourist Board which is now the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

‘The tourism industry in Sri Lanka should adopt new robust policies. The same old models that are in books may not work. We need the government to look at exceptional financial models, development models for the revival of tourism. A critical role is played by the SME sector in tourism as well as by the informal sector, which we estimate has almost the same number of rooms as the formal sector. These require to be regulated so that they have the proper health and safety guidelines, SLTDA license and fall into the tax net.

‘Our members continue to spend over Rs 3 billion annually on overseas marketing and promotions. This is in addition to TDL. Further, billions of rupees are spent to maintain hotel plants, for continuous training of staff and for day –to- day operations.

‘THASL would like to highlight some of the critical areas of concern which require immediate attention to sustain this industry.

‘Through a Gazette notification issued in 2024, the Excise Department has suddenly increased the liquor license fees and taxes with retrospective effect. This is grossly unethical and unfair.

‘Eg: A small hoteliers who paid Rs. 454,000 last year now has to pay approximately Rs.754, 000. For larger hotels, from Rs 2.5 million to Rs 5 million.

‘The hotel sector contributes 1% of the turnover as TDL to promote and develop tourism. The Treasury does not provide funds for development and promotion. The local government authorities are demanding of hotels to pay a further 1% tax on turnover, while all other industries, such as, banks, hospitals, super markets and apparel organizations only pay Rs. 6000/- per annum. These industries record much higher earnings than hotels. Hotels too must pay the same rate as all other industries. This has been a burning issue for the hotel industry for over 10 years and over 200 legal cases are pending.

‘Why is an industry recording such high forex earnings being penalized and discriminated against?

‘These factors while confusing, are a clear indication that there is no strategic, holistic plan to develop this industry.

‘The hospitality industry is experiencing a severe dearth of skilled and unskilled staff at all levels. With hotels being located across the country, there is great opportunity for trained youth and females to get jobs nearby to their villages or home towns. The female workforce in hospitality in Sri Lanka is still far below regional levels. Hence, there is a need to develop the necessary human capital in large numbers on a priority basis and to reorganize the SLITHM, to churn out the much needed hotel sector staff by training the youth to fit into the hospitality industry.

‘The country has not had a global tourism promotion campaign in place for the past 15 years. We have seen in the past that to plan and roll out a new campaign takes a very long time. Time is of the essence if we are to achieve the proposed arrival targets. Competing destinations, such as the Maldives, Vietnam, Thailand and Maylasia are carrying out very effective campaigns in key source markets.’

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Business

Climate compliance pressure mounts on Lankan businesses

Published

52 mins ago

2026/06/7

Thilina Walpola

Lankan businesses are facing increasing pressure to strengthen climate governance, compliance, and risk management frameworks as climate-related disclosure requirements, investor expectations, and regulatory standards continue to evolve.

Against this backdrop, Genesis – the Dilmah Centre for a Sustainable Future will host a specialised post-summit technical workshop titled “Climate Action: A Strategic Executive Workshop on Climate Resilience and Business Continuity” on June 12, in Colombo.

The programme is designed as a continuation of discussions initiated at the Sri Lanka Climate Summit 2026 and will bring together sustainability managers, compliance officers, ESG professionals, risk specialists, and corporate decision-makers. It aims to translate climate commitments into practical business strategies.

The workshop will focus on implementation rather than advocacy, examining emerging disclosure frameworks, financing mechanisms, and regulatory pathways shaping corporate climate action in Sri Lanka.

Keynote speaker Dr. Lalanath de Silva, an internationally recognised environmental lawyer and governance expert, will address the evolving legal and compliance landscape influencing climate-related business decisions.

Technical sessions will cover IFRS S2 climate-related disclosures, climate risk governance, green finance opportunities, internal carbon pricing, and access to climate financing. Speakers will include climate risk specialist Rohan Cooray, Shiranee Yasaratne of Biodiversity Sri Lanka, and Suganthi Samarasinghe of UNDP Sri Lanka.

Organisers said climate readiness is increasingly becoming a business necessity rather than a sustainability option, with growing scrutiny from global markets and regulators.

Participation is free of charge, but prior registration is required due to limited seating for professionals in sustainability, governance, compliance, and risk management roles.

Business

SPAR Sri Lanka Opens New Outlet in Kurunegala

Published

1 hour ago

2026/06/7

Thilina Walpola

SPAR Sri Lanka has expanded its retail network with the opening of a new outlet in Kurunegala, marking another milestone in the supermarket chain’s growth across the country.

The new store, strategically located to serve the growing population of the North Western Province, offers a wide range of products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, premium meat products, bakery items, household essentials and both local and international brands.

The outlet also features several specialty sections, including a Coconut Corner, Wellness Corner and a dedicated area catering to pet care products.

Speaking at the opening, SPAR Sri Lanka Chief Executive Officer Kumar de Silva said the new outlet reflects the company’s commitment to delivering a “glocal” shopping experience by combining international retail standards with local customer preferences.

“Our Kurunegala outlet reflects our dedication to providing customers with the best range, superior quality and exceptional service under one roof,” he said.

The store also offers SPAR’s signature fresh food concepts, including in-store bakery products, ready-to-eat meals and freshly prepared juices aimed at meeting the needs of busy consumers.

The company said customers will benefit from a range of promotional offers, loyalty rewards, weekend deals and seasonal discounts.

SPAR Sri Lanka said the expansion would also contribute to local economic development through employment generation and support for local suppliers, further strengthening the country’s retail sector.

Pic and Text by SK Samaranayake

Business

Royal end title drought with dramatic shootout triumph

Published

1 hour ago

2026/06/7

Thilina Walpola

The victorious Royal College Under-20 hockey team pose with the championship trophy after emerging unbeaten champions of the All Island Under-20 Hockey Tournament at the Rajarata University Grounds in Mihintale. Front row (left to right): Ronal Edirimanne, Sulaiman Shihar, Gunitha Dissanayake, Dilsara Prabath, Kumuthulu Goonathilake, Savain Karunasiri, Vidu Wijesinghe, Seth Pathirathne, Pasindu Epa and Hirun Lindula. Back row (left to right): Stefan Anthonypillai, Geesath Bathisa, Haazim Dhailamy, Teacher-in-Charge Uditha Kumara, Coach Damith Panditharatne, Captain Aathif Faleel, Kithmina Rathnayake, Vice Captain Lithum Karunasiri, Nehan Wijayanayake, Yusuf Shihar, Ruvi Perera and Rumal Jayasinghe.

Royal College, Colombo, emerged unbeaten champions of the All-Island Under-20 Hockey Tournament after defeating defending champions St. Thomas’ College, Matale, in a nail-biting sudden-death penalty shootout at the Rajarata University Grounds in Mihintale last week.

The final ended in a 1-1 draw after Royal equalised five minutes from time to cancel out the Matale side’s earlier lead.

With the penalty shootout also ending in a 4-4 deadlock, the match proceeded to sudden death. The Reid Avenue outfit eventually prevailed in the second round of sudden-death penalties to clinch the title.

A brilliant save by goalkeeper Stefan Anthonipillai, who stretched to his right to deny a crucial attempt, and the decisive conversion by Rumal Jayasinghe helped Royal secure the Under-20 championship for the first time since the tournament’s inception in 2014.

Royal’s centre-forward Savain Karunasiri was one of the team’s standout performers throughout the tournament, scoring crucial goals, including strikes in both the semi-final and the final. Anthonipillai was equally impressive, guarding the goal superbly throughout the seven-match campaign.

Royal finished runners-up when the tournament was held in Matale last year.

The Colombo school produced a series of consistent performances despite having to play on an uneven grass surface that was not ideally suited to the fast-paced modern game.

Royal began their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Christ Church College, Matale, before defeating arch-rivals St. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, 1-0. They then beat Kingswood College, Kandy, 2-0 and Maris Stella College, Negombo, 2-1 to top their group.

In the quarter-final, coach Damith Panditharatne’s side overcame fancied Dharmadutha College, Badulla, by 2-0.

Royal then edged out St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa, 1-0 in the semi-final, adopting a disciplined defensive approach against the aggressively attacking Puttalam outfit.

In the other semi-final, St. Thomas’ College, Matale defeated Trinity College, Kandy, 3-1. St. Joseph Vaz later beat Trinity 1-0 in the third-place playoff.

Panditharatne’s five-year development programme, with a strong emphasis on fitness, stamina and technical skills, played a key role in Royal’s success. The title marked Royal’s first national Under-20 tournament triumph since winning the National Schools Games in 2017.

A former national player, Air Force striker and Sri Lanka Police coach, Panditharatne has focused on addressing the weaknesses of individual players while building a cohesive unit. The former Christ Church College, Matale player has been coaching Royal since 2022 with the support of the Royal College Hockey Club (RCHC), comprising former Royal hockey players.

For his outstanding performances, Anthonipillai was adjudged the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament. Royal College was also named the Most Disciplined Team of the Tournament.