Never in the history of the tourist industry in Sri Lanka has so much damage being done to its profile, as a tourist destination, discouraging tourist arrivals due to the greed of politicians who hold on to power with consequent eruption of violence.

Several foreign governments have advised their nationals to desist from visiting Sri Lanka, where democracy has been eroded, plunging the nation into a simmering cauldron of mistrust, intrigue and deceit.

The LTTE attack on the Airforce at Katunayake has had nothing to do with the tourist movement to Sri Lanka. The LTTE terrorist violence has always been directed at the governments of Sri Lanka. We have experienced terrorism since 1983 where over 200 massacres have taken place, including the use of suicide bombers by the LTTE terrorists to assassinate prominent political figures, including Heads of State like President Ranasinghe Premadasa.

These destructive episodes have occurred in and around Colombo, where the hub of the hotel industry is located. For example the bombing of the Central Bank amidst several 5-star hotels like did not in the past affect tourist arrivals. Then there was the case of the bombing of the Dalada Maligawa in the historic city of Kandy, where there is always an influx of tourists, concentrated for sight-seeing etc. that in no way hampered the arrival of tourists. An Airlanka aircraft scheduled for the Maldives was bombed by the LTTE some years back, nevertheless those incidents did not deter tourists visiting Tourist Resorts and the golden beaches in Sri Lanka. The government is using the LTTE bombing at the Airforce base and the airport at Katunayake as a scape-goat to cover up the predicament of instability the government is facing.

The tragic reality with regard to tourism today is that right or wrong, the foreign governments have declared Sri Lanka unsafe for their nationals to visit, and the Minister of Tourism had so far been silent.

What really has the Minister of Tourism done to counter the opinions of foreign governments, who advised their nationals to avoid visits to Sri Lanka?y Very frankly the Minister has done absolutely nothing. The Minister was unconcerned or in deep slumber. Every Sri Lankan, unless gullible know full well that the very fluid situation in the country and the Minister of Tourism should not have hesitated a moment to counter, the adverse reports of foreign governments, by issuing a denial stating that Sri Lanka was safe despite the unfortunate incidents at Katunayake, for tourists the resources of this sunny island. This could have been done through Sri Lankan embassies worldwide, with the Minister issuing a statement contrary to the opinions of foreign governments. Such action would have undoubtedly boosted the moral of tourists to stick to their planned itineraries without seek alternate holiday destinations.

It is hoped the Minister of Tourism would wake up even at this late stage, as the tourist season is yet a month away. Countering disruptive foreign opinions, with a factual position would arrest further damage to the industry.

Over to you Mr. Minister
A. G. Talayaratne
Kohuwala.