Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Cabinet sub-committee led by John to recommend measures to support tourism industry

By

2 May 2019 10:02 am - 0     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The Cabinet of Ministers has decided to appoint a Cabinet sub-committee led by Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga to recommend measures to support the tourism industry in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.The Cabinet on May 30 decided to appoint the sub-committee consisting of Amaratunga and five other ministers. 


“The president wanted us to sit down and find out how best we can bring back normalcy to the industry, including the hotels,” Amaratunga told Mirror Business. 

Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy is expected to submit a report next week on the possibility of offering the financial relief requested by the hoteliers after discussing with bankers. 


“He will send a report on how best he could provide the relief package. This is not something new, there were such measures taken during the LTTE times as well,” the minister said. 
The hoteliers this week requested the government to reschedule their loans while facilitating access to soft loans for working capital requirements and a moratorium period for the loans already taken by the hoteliers. 


“In the course of next week, we will know what we can offer to all the star hotels and all the establishments registered with the SLTDA,” he added.


The sub-committee, which is scheduled to meet this week for the first time, will study the proposals from the industry stakeholders, including financial relief for hoteliers and will recommend the most suitable measures to the Cabinet.  


Meanwhile, the Cabinet also approved a proposal presented by Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga to procure baggage scanners equipped with the latest technology to be deployed at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), to ensure passenger safety.  


Amaratunga also noted that the Cabinet also discussed the possibility of streaming operations of BIA while ensuring the safety of passengers, as the industry stakeholders pointed out that the current measures have caused inconvenience to tourists. 


Hence, he said some of the drastic security measures would be lifted in coming days. 


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 0

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H