Press Communiqué

Issued by Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF)

Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation, the pioneer National Ecotourism Society in Sri Lanka, expresses its deepest condolences and sympathy for the families of the brotherly catholic, Buddhist, Hindu and all other religious denominations who have lost their near and dear ones in the brutal and horrific attacks on Easter Sunday that had caused damage to an unthinkable proportion.

This brutal attack has been universally condemned by all sections of Sri Lankan Society as well as the International Community. Those human beings could inflict such a carnage on fellow human beings defies belief. Sri Lanka and its people have been jolted out of the peaceful environment which they have been enjoying by the brutal acts of misguided individuals on a journey of their own.

As for the official statements issued by the Sri Lanka Government, 360 people have been killed including 48 foreign tourists and 600 people injured. Three churches were located in Colombo, Negombo, Batticaloa and Kochchikade close to the Colombo International Airport, have been attacked by the suicide bombers.

Besides, blasts also rocked the star class hotels such as Shangri-La, Kingsbury and Cinnamon Grand in Colombo, killing and injuring many including the tourists.

According to the Minister of Finance, Sri Lanka, the collapse of the tourism industry is the biggest challenge. Government of Sri Lanka expects to contain earning loses between US$ 750 million this year and the industry is expected to recover within 1-2 years. The industry expects only 30 percent in tourist arrivals this year. These calculations are based on the figures issued by the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Because of these industries collapse many tourism stakeholders are affected, mainly the small and medium enterprises tourism sector. As far as community and ecotourism is concerned, many rural communities who are engaged in home stay tourism business, operators of small scale ecolodges and restaurants were mainly affected.

Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation in association with its international Net Works and local partners has devised a programme to assist these small scale community based tourism stakeholders as details given below Steps to be taken under the strategy devised by the SLEF to assist SME’s and Community Based Ecotourism sector (as details given below)

• We have urged the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau to assist SLEF to conduct meetings with the stakeholders of SME’s and Community Based Ecotourism sector, particularly active in the beach resort areas and in the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka, enabling the SLEF to meet the stakeholders and advise them how to cope with the situation and how to recover from the current crisis

• Support them to prepare proposals in case they wish to reschedule their loans already obtained from the Banks

• Make them aware on the “Green Loan Facilities” scheme initiated by the government on reduced interest rates and support them to develop their ‘Business Plans’ if they are interested in securing the loan facilities from the Banks

• Promote their businesses through SLEF websites and Networks urging the visitors to patronize the Ecotourism Businesses in Sri Lanka. Inform the visitors through our print and electronic media  that Sri Lanka is now a safe destination visit

SLEF believes the tourism industry in Sri Lanka is resilient to similar situations experienced during 30 years of civil war in Sri Lanka; hence the industry would bounce back soon.