Collaboration Offered by President to Foreign Employment Agencies to Boost Tourism Industry Growth

President Ranil Wickremesinghe mentioned that if foreign employment agencies concentrate on attracting tourists to Sri Lanka from the countries where they supply labor, including the Middle Eastern countries, the Ministry of Tourism will offer the necessary support.

The President shared this statement during the “Abhiman- 2024” event held yesterday (21) at the Epitome Hotel, Kurunegala. At the event, President Wickremesinghe also awarded certificates and commemorative gifts to foreign employment agencies that play a significant role in the country’s economy.

Speaking at the event, President Ranil Wickremesinghe added further,

I want to express my gratitude as we mark two years since I took over the presidency. Your contributions in earning revenue for the country have been vital in bringing us to our current position. Two years ago, we faced a challenging situation, and many doubted our ability to recover from the economic crisis. However, I had faith that with the help of the people, we could restore our nation. Unlike other countries, we have accomplished this task in less than two years.

You are familiar with the difficult journey we have undertaken. Many thought our country had no future. Factories were struggling, and tourism was nonexistent. We kick-started our economic progress with the remittances sent by our overseas workers.

Now, we are confident in our capability to navigate the future. Numerous countries worldwide are inquiring how we managed to achieve this turnaround. We have settled our debt with Bangladesh, a nation currently facing challenges. We extend our thoughts for peace and stability in Bangladesh, which supported us during our tough times.

It is time for us to focus on the future. Sri Lanka should evolve into an export-oriented economy. A structured program should be implemented to enhance the skills of workers going abroad and provide them with proper training. This will help them secure better job opportunities and higher incomes, benefiting both themselves and the nation.

We have faced hardships for two years. With your assistance, I have propelled the country forward during this period. You deserve to reap the rewards of this progress. Together, we must build a new economy. Let us collaborate towards this objective.

I believe you can bring business opportunities from the countries where our citizens are employed, especially from the Middle East, to Sri Lanka. If we can send Sri Lankan workers to those nations, we should also attract tourists from those regions to Sri Lanka. By partnering with the Ministry of Tourism, you can expand your business further. We will provide government assistance for these initiatives.

Furthermore, if we can export food to those countries, we will receive government support for that initiative. We must think creatively and embark on a new journey, avoiding stagnation. Remember, it is not politicians but all of us who shape the future course of the country. I wish you the best for your future endeavors.

Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara,

Amidst some individuals seeking power at the expense of the public, President Ranil Wickremesinghe unconditionally stepped up to alleviate their suffering. His effective diplomacy was evident during the severe economic crisis two years ago. Within this period, he managed to build an economy that allowed the marginalized to thrive. Supporting his economic vision, migrant workers channeled their earnings to Sri Lanka through banks, resulting in USD 12 billion in foreign exchange this year alone.

In 2022, a nation that struggled to meet its basic needs due to a lack of foreign exchange now operates normally, all thanks to the President’s economic vision. As foreign employment agencies, you played a critical role in this achievement. Your contribution is recognized through the “Abhiman 2024” awards. Without your support, it is hard to imagine where the country would be today. Therefore, we encourage you to continue contributing to the nation’s progress with your ongoing efforts.

Governor of the North Western Province Ahamed Nazeer Zainulabdeen, State Ministers Jagath Pushpakumara, Shantha Bandara, D.B. Herath, Former Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies (ALFEA) Lanka Vijitha Kumara, Secretary G. Ganeshwaran, Treasurer Nishantha Jayakody, and a group of heads from foreign employment agencies were present at the event.