Proposal to develop five islands in Kalpitiya delayed for 10 years

Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) MP Prof. Charitha Herath has directed the Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Development Authority to expedite the preparation of a programme to utilise 12 islands under the Tourism Development Authority in the Kalpitiya area for the benefit of the industry. Instructions were issued at a recent COPE meeting.

It was revealed that although an investor had applied for five of the 12 islands totaling 2,055 acres, in 2011, it had been delayed due to the inability to identify a proper institution to obtain approval for his water bungalows project.

The COPE Chairman pointed out that the delay of such a project for 10 years as the investor who already own hotels of similar nature in the Maldives to obtain permission, was an impediment to the development of the tourism industry as well as the development of the country.

The COPE Chairman stressed the need to utilise the islands as tourist attractions. He directed S. Hettiarachchi and Chairperson of the Tourism Development Authority, Kimarli Fernando, to implement a special project within a strong legal framework since Cabinet approval had been granted for that and set up a steering committee with representatives from the Marine Environment Protection Authority, Central Environmental Authority, North Western Provincial Council, Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department.

The aforesaid issue was disclosed at the COPE meeting chaired by Prof. Charitha Herath held recently (26) to examine the Auditor General’s reports for the years 2018 and 2019 and the current performance of the Tourism Development Authority.

The COPE paid attention to the audit observation that Rs. 11 million out of 29 million had been paid for the renovation of the Kataragama Resort a few years back for but no work had been carried out.

It was also brought to the notice of the COPE that despite the appointment of a committee by the Ministry of Public Administration, which has made recommendations that the Attorney General conduct an investigation into the issue and punish the culprits, no action had been taken so far. The Auditor General has revealed that only a warning letter was served on the official involved in the said incident and the Committee expressed displeasure in this regard.

The COPE also made inquiries about the payment of an additional Rs. 10 million for the construction of the Kalpitiya Thoraiadi Jetty and the road near the Wannimundalama Lagoon. The Tourism Development Authority said that it had made inquiries from the Puttalam District Engineer and been informed that further action could not be taken as they did not have the relevant documents. The Auditor General has revealed that although the COPE had ordered an investigation into the mater in 2016, the investigation process had only began in 2018. The COPE Chairman expressed his displeasure at the delay, and said state institutions were bound to implement a recommendation made by Parliament, the highest body on financial control in the country, thus, an immediate inquiry should be conducted and a report submitted as soon as possible.

Although Rs. 1.2 billion was spent on tourism development in 2018-2019, only 1.9 million tourists had visited the country. Therefore, the existing institutions should be set up for the tourism industry under a more efficient mechanism, said the Chairperson of the Tourism Development Authority Kimarli Fernando. Accordingly, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, which are currently working separately for the betterment of the tourism industry, will form a single entity whilst the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management is intended to operate separately, the chairperson said.

The Secretary to the Ministry said that the Bill in this regard would be presented to Parliament by March-April as it has been approved by the Cabinet. The COPE Chairman instructed the Secretary to the Ministry to expedite the work in this regard if it is the need of the Ministry and the institutions for the purpose of a more efficient mechanism.

The Committee paid attention to the obstacles faced by Sri Lanka in comparison to the Maldives which has had made rapid progress in the tourism industry. Kimarli Fernando said that only the highest priced luxury hotels in the Maldivian tourism industry were active, promoting globally through active public relations, operating under a small team of 15 international level experts, and making a significant impact by bringing in leading international investors. The Chairperson also said that the institute had played a major role in uplifting the tourism industry in the face of the pandemic. She added that her institution had made great strides in training hoteliers amidst the COVID-19 crisis, having fully completed the online registration process.

COPE also stressed the need to make more effective use of the properties owned by the Tourism Development Authority including lands in many areas for the betterment of the industry.

State Minister Susil Premajayantha, Members of Parliament Rauff Hakeem, Jagath Pushpakumara, Nalin Bandara, S.M. Marikkar, Madhura Withanage, Premnath C. Dolawatte and officials of the Tourism Development Authority were present at the meeting.