Tourist transporters, faced with a serious financial crisis consequent to the virtual collapse of the tourism industry as a result of the terrorist attack on the Katunayake airport, have called on the Ministry of Finance for immediate relief.

About 300 persons engaged in the tourist transport services, in a letter to Dr. P. B. Jayasundera, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning, the Ceylon Mercantile, Industrial and General Workers’ Union, has pointed out that most of their vehicles have been purchased on loans from banks and finance companies. Many of those vehicles are now facing the threat for non payment of loan or lease instalments due to the lack of business.

They have requested that the Ministry of Finance should arrange with the bankers and finance companies concerned for the grant of immediate relief to their members in respect of loan and other lease arrangements until the situation in the country’s tourism industry improves.