The President of the Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association (CHSGA) Palitha Wijemanne in an interview with "The Island" said. "The policy of recruiting expatriates to fill the vacancies in senior management in the hospitality industry must be reviewed" as there are many qualified Sri Lankans who could fit in to those positions.

He said: "I am positive that Sri Lanka will achieve the envisaged target of 600,000 tourist arrivals for the year 2005" but voiced concern about the availability of competent personnel to meet the demand. A large number of trained personnel have left the country seeking greener pastures and as a result "we have to train the existing staff to achieve a higher level of proficiency. On the other hand we can try to lure them back home with better incentives and a higher pay.

For the tourism industry survive absolute peace should prevail in the country and the atmosphere should be created of a safe destination.

Wijemanne said CHSGA this year has concentrated on human resource development. "We are committed to be a partner in the development of the Ceylon Hotel School to bring it to international level. All major associations in the hospitality industry are working together as a team for the benefit of the industry at large where we share our knowledge and human resourses." He stressed the need for a comprehensive national policy for the benefit of the industry.

CHSGA has been able to generate the highest income for any project by association over the years with this year’s Hotel Show.