SLAITO condemns Tourism Chairperson’s statement on President of SLAITO

Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) vehemently condemned the baseless and irresponsible statements made last week by Kimarli Fernando, Chairperson Sri Lanka Tourism that President of SLAITO Thilak Weerasinghe was “hiding, overseas”.

“We urge the Chairperson to refrain from making irresponsible statements and to conduct herself in a manner befitting the public office she holds.”

Weerasinghe, President of SLAITO, a tourism veteran with over 40 years in the industry, returned to the island after a weeklong overseas trip this morning. Weerasinghe had informed the committee of Management of SLAITO that he was travelling overseas on work during this period, over three weeks ago and placed the running of the affairs of the association in the hands of the committee during his absence.

SLAITO, recognized by the Tourism Act as the Apex Body, representing the DMC industry in Sri Lanka, is a non-political association with a proud history, and are happy to state categorically that none of our Presidents, including Weerasinghe, ever brought politics into the association. He always led from the front for the benefit of all industry stakeholders, particularly in these turbulent times.