Basil’s entry as Finance Minister hailed

Tourism sector stakeholders yesterday welcomed the appointment of Basil Rajapaksa as the Finance Minister, and expressed confidence in receiving his support for industry revival. 

The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and One Industry One Voice (OIOV) said they were “delighted” with the appointment of Rajapaksa as the Minister of Finance at the “crucial juncture” the industry is currently in.

The associations added that they were confident that Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga would receive the required support from the newly appointed Finance Minister to revive and move forward the tourism industry that benefits 3 million people in the country.

In a joint statement to the media yesterday, the two associations stressed the need to look at the possibility of a credit line for the industry as it continues to suffer since the Easter Sunday attack in 2019.

“It will give the opportunity for the stakeholders to survive this extremely difficult period. It is absolutely important for all tourism stakeholders to work together under the leadership of the Tourism Minister and we are confident that we will have the guidance and the support of the Finance Minister to make tourism​​ the number one foreign exchange generating industry by 2025,” the associations said.