Former Deputy Leader of the United National Party (UNP), MP Ravi Karunanayake, says that Sri Lanka’s tourism sector will not benefit the economy if foreign visitors do not spend dollars during their stay.
Speaking to the media, Karunanayake noted that while tourist arrivals have increased, some visitors are engaged in illegal activities to earn income locally instead of contributing foreign exchange.
He pointed out that there have even been reports of tourists working as three-wheeler drivers, which undermines the livelihoods of local operators.
Karunanayake stressed that such practices must be curbed and emphasized the need for measures to ensure that tourism brings in much-needed dollar inflows to strengthen the economy.
