• Labor laws that affect those in the tourism sector will be amended next year.
• A social security scheme for those engaged in the tourism sector.
• Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management to be a Degree Awarding Higher Educational Institute next year.

Minister of Tourism, Prasanna Ranatunga says at the 41st Diploma Awarding Ceremony of the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management.

Minister of Tourism, Prasanna Ranatunga says that he expects to amend the labor laws that affect those engaged in the tourism sector next year. He points out that discussions will be held with the Ministry of Labor and necessary arrangements will be made in that regard.He was speaking at the 41st Annual Diploma Awarding Ceremony of the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management. The Diploma Awarding Ceremony was held at the BMICH on the 27th of this month. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was not possible to award diploma certificates in 2019. However, diploma certificates were awarded to students of both 2019 and 2020 at this year’s ceremony.

Speaking further Minister, Prasanna Ranatunga said,

“The tourism industry is at a critical juncture now. Many people in the tourism sector are now badly suffering due to the Covid pandemic. Many countries around the world are systematically opening up their boundaries after the Covid outbreak. Our country has now fully opened to tourists and the tourism industry is gradually gaining momentum.”

“It is our responsibility to protect those in this field. That is what we are working for. His Excellency the President, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's Vistas of Prosperity, the National Policy Statement clearly mentioned about the human resource management of the tourism industry. Accordingly, we are working to transform the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management into a Degree Awarding Higher Educational Institution. We also obtained Cabinet approval for that. To this end, we hope to amend the Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005, which is currently in force. It has already been referred to the Legal Draftsman's Department.”

“Also, the tourism industry has become an uncertain industry. Despite the floods, tsunamis, and bomb blasts, tourism is a vulnerable sector in the face of a global pandemic like Covid -19. Taking this situation into consideration, we are currently working to introduce a social security scheme for those engaged in the tourism sector. Our aim is to ensure the job security of those engaged in this field in the event of such disasters.”

“The President's Policy Statement further states that the Labor Laws will be amended to protect the employment and other trade union rights of employees engaged in this field. With the recent Covid -19 situation, we have not been able to take any further action in this regard. We look forward to this matter, discussing with the Ministry of Labor next year and taking further action in this regard.”

“Today, we give you one certificate for all new diploma holders who enter this field. We are working to develop the tourism industry in this country even more than it was before the Covid pandemic” the Minister said.

Mr.S. Hettiarachchi, Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Mrs. Kimali Fernando, Chairperson of the Tourism Development Authority, and Mr.Nadeeka Wataliyadda, Director General of the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management also spoke at this ceremony.