Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath appointed a new Tourism Advisory Committee on March 18, 2025. Appointing the committee marked a significant milestone in advancing Sri Lanka’s thriving tourism industry.
The Sunday Observer Explorer reported in its launch issue about setting up of one being in the offing. It became a reality with the Minister appointing industry leaders, comprising professionals with diverse backgrounds in the Tourism sector who will now be mandated to advice the Government on strategic and sustainable tourism development enhancing growth of industry, in line with National Tourism Policy.
The new Committee appointed on Wednesday will now be able to achieve the objectives of the National Tourism policy.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath along with Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, presided at the meeting the members of the Committee were appointed. The Committee comprised of key stakeholders and leaders across the tourism industry, reflecting the collective enthusiasm for fostering sustainable growth and promoting Sri Lanka as a preferred travel destination.
Minister Herath emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “The Tourism Advisory Committee represents a collaborative effort to harness expertise, drive innovation, and uplift Sri Lanka’s position as a global tourism destination. We look forward to the valuable contributions of the newly appointed members in shaping the future of this vital sector.”
The new Chairman of the Tourism Advisory Committee is Dileep Mudadeniya who is the Senior Vice President at John Keells Holdings PLC. Other members are Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam, Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management and Sri Lanka Convention Bureau Chairman Dheera Hettiarachchi, SriLankan Airlines CEO Richard Nuttall, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Senior Director General – Economic Affairs Dharshana M. Perera, University of Colombo Sustainable Tourism Unit (STU), Faculty of Arts, Department of Economics, Professor D.A.C. Suranga Silva, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka Senior Lecturer – Department of Tourism Management Prof. Sarath Munasinghe, Nihonbashi, Ministry of Crabs Chef, Creator and Owner Dharshana Munidasa, Nuwaraeliya Hotels Company (PLC) Deputy Chairman/Managing Director Gerard George Ondaatjie, Connaissance de Ceylon and Thema Collection Chairman/MD Chandra Wickramasinghe, EKHO Hotels and Resorts, Galle Face Hotels Group Vice President Nihal Muhandiram, Tiesh Ltd. Managing Director and Founder Lasantha de Fonseka, Craft Tunnel Designer, Owner Ajith Perera, and Chamber of Tourism and Industry National Coordinator Donald Rajapaksha.
– (C.I.M)
