Tourism affected due to prevailing situation

By Daya Cyril Dhammika and Amarasena Vithanage   

Tourist arrivals in the south have shown a sharp decline in view of the prevailing crisis situation. President of the Hikkaduwa Hotel Owners’ Association and Vice President of the Sri Lanka Hotel Owners Association Siri Gunawardene told the media that more than 70 percent of the tourists had cancelled their bookings in hotels in the south.   

He said the irresponsible statements of the former Defence Secretary, before he resigned had a serious impact on tourism and that the tourists who were to visit the country in May and June had cancelled their hotel bookings.   

“The tourists staying in hotels are safe, but they refrain from trips in fear of any possible danger. President Maithripala Sirisena has called a meeting of hotel owners. 
I, as Vice President of the Sri Lanka Hotel Owners Association, will participate and put forward the issues affecting the tourist industry” he further said.   

President of the Hikkaduwa Small Scale Hotel Owners’ Association and of the Tourist Services Suppliers’ Association Harischandra De Silva, and Secretary of the Association and Lions Club International Coordinator Nissanka Epaliyana, addressed the media conference.      

President of the Hikkaduwa Small Scale Hotel Owners’ Association and of the Tourist Services Suppliers’ Association Harischandra De Silva, and Secretary of the Association and Lions Club International Coordinator Nissanka Epaliyana, addressed the media conference