Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing the gathering as the chief guest at the annual meeting of the Sri Lanka Hotel Association.
The annual convention of the Sri Lanka Hotel Association was held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said:
“The time has come to find answers to the problems of the tourism industry. Our job as the government is to fund it. In terms of programs, policies, decisions and plans, the tourism industry will be the fastest and largest job producer in the country over the next five years.
We have to decide whether to act without limit or target five million six million tourists. It is a major policy decision. We should discuss that in the next few years. There should be debate. We need to get more tourists. The country should attract tourists. We intend to provide financial support to the tourism industry.
But there is one condition. You need to start training. As the government we give financial support for this. There are not enough good schools in Sri Lanka. We don't make enough good cooks. These things have to do more today.
We have plans. They have to be implemented. We need to promote tourism. We need to start tourism zones. One is made in Iranawila. Another tourist zone is being built in Dedduwa. More tourist zones will be established in Koggala, Deniyaya, Rakwana and Ohiya.
We are further developing the Mattala Airport. We opened the Jaffna International Airport in Palaly. However, there are not enough hotels in those areas. Hiran has a monopoly. It has to be broken. Of the three hotels, two are owned by him. Five star hotels.
We have identified zones like Pooneryn, Batticaloa, Mannar and Vavuniya. The Eastern Shore is another area of concern. Steps are also being taken to expand the Batticaloa lane. We need to develop the infrastructure. The existing facilities should be improved. It is your job to promote and train. It is our job to formulate policies. We also do financial support. ”
(Harshana Thushara Silva)
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