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Message from the President of ASMET
It is my privilege to present the Annual Report for the Financial Year ending 31st March
2010.I also takes this opportunity to warmly welcome you to the 4th Annual General Meeting
of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka.
We are proud to hold our 4th Annual General Meeting on a better note than last
year as we have been able to achieve many triumphs through lobbying and discussions.
Our Executive Committee should be applauded for advising me in confronting many
officials of the Tourism Ministry and the Authority. As the majority of our members
belong in many areas such as Eco Tourism, Adventure Tourism, Nature, Community
based Tourism, Sustainable Tourism, and representing Restaurants and Hotels distributed
through out Sri Lanka. Though we have had a change of many Ministers and Chairmen from
time to time, they all have supported and recognized the cause of the SME sector in Tourism.
Even one of the very open and most respected officials in the Ministry of finance who heads
the treasury have held us in high regard and as always given us practical solutions to our
problems. Though this high official’s advice had been of immense value and appreciated,
the financial institutions have not supported us hundred percent, which I do not
understand. Even at present negotiations are going on regarding financial assistance
to the members of ASMET.
Here it is sad to mention that we who initiated a platform for the SME sector and
some of our members have been high jacked by some of the bigger entrepreneurs and
now taken |the role of the SME’s and supposed to be fighting for their cause. Here it
should be mentioned having created awareness among all the stake holders in the
industry and proving that we are a force to reckon with in keeping up with the other
stake holders in the industry. It is significant to note that until ASMET was formed no
single Association ever thought of supporting the SME sector in Tourism.
Our strength was His Excellency’s “Mahinda Chinthanaya” concept which promised
support and recognition for the SME’s in
all sectors. As a commitment to all the members we have marched forward and our
achievements are well recognized and appreciated.
ASMET was recognized and had been allotted seats in the Sri Lanka Tourism
Development Authority (Unfortunately not at present), Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion
Bureau and many other Sector Committees representing SME Tourism, Nature and
Adventure Tourism and Community Based Tourism of the Ministry of Tourism.
The Ministry of Tourism and the Government has supported ASMET unstintedly in
addressing the needs of the SME sector in Domestic Tourism as well as Foreign.
I think it is note worthy to mention that all Former Ministers of Tourism as well as
Deputy Ministers of Tourism and there officials have endorsed our mission and extended
their support at all times. Also the new Minister of Economic Development Honorable
Basil Rajapaksa has at all times shown his interest and concern for the SME sector
in Tourism.
I wish to acknowledge on behalf of my Committee with sincere thanks, the support,
encouragement and the commitment rendered to us by all the Former Ministers and
Deputy Ministers of Tourism, Chairmen of SLTDA and the present Chairman Dr.Nalaka
G odahewa,Mr.S.Kalaiselvam, Director General SLTDA.
I also take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to Ms.Renuka
Jayamanna for her untiring support and commitment as my General Secretary and
also my sincere appreciation to Mr. Mervyn Fernadopulle our Founder President
for his advice and commitment to ASMET. I would fail in my duty if I do not recognize
Senior Vice President Mr.Sam Tegal, Mr.Justine Karandawala. Executive Committee
who was always there to attend meetings on behalf of ASMET as well as Mr.Lionel
Fernando,Mr. Suresh De Mel. Most of all my sincere thanks to all my colleagues on the
Executive Committee for their invaluable inputs and contributions towards achieving
the objectives and goals of ASMET. Also my sincere thanks to Mr.Deepal
Wickramasinghe, GM Samudra Hotel School and his staff for their cooperation in
holding this AGM and all our meetings at this venue.
At This moment of time I appeal to the Ministry of Tourism and
SLTDA to some how formalize the informal sector to join the formal sector so that
there would be a common platform for the Industry to develop. This would also facilitate
healthy competition and bring in more revenue to the Authority. In conclusion it
should be noted that the present conducive atmosphere is only thanks to
His Excellency the President Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa having taken the
leadership to end the thirty year war and giving Tourism a chance even in
the East and the North. Also the Hon.Basil Rajapaksa the Minister for Economic
Development and Minister in charge of Tourism for the initiative programmes
undertaken for the development of Tourism in Sri Lanka.
Lastly I would fail in my duty if I do not thank all our Members,
Industry Partners, all our well wishers for their confidence and the trust placed in me
and ASMET which has enabled us to march forward in realizing our Mission.
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