The following statement was issued by the Hotel Suppliers Association, congratulating the new Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath. 

The Hotel Suppliers Association (HSA) extends its heartfelt congratulations to Honourable Vijitha Herath on his recent appointment as Tourism Minister. 

We also commend the NPP and his remarkable achievement in securing election to the Gampaha electorate, with an impressive majority of 716,000 votes. This extraordinary accomplishment is a testament to the trust and confidence placed in his leadership by the people of Sri Lanka.

As the newly appointed Tourism Minister, Honourable Vijitha Herath assumes a key role in shaping the future of Sri Lanka’s tourism and hospitality sectors. With tourism being one of the most vital industries in Sri Lanka’s economy—contributing significantly to economic growth, job creation and international recognition—we are confident that Minister Herath’s leadership will continue to drive the sector towards new heights.

The HSA is a leading industry body that represents a wide range of suppliers to Sri Lanka’s hospitality sector. The association’s mission is to promote the growth and development of the hospitality industry, ensuring the supply of high-quality products and services to hotels, resorts and other tourism-related businesses. As an integral part of Sri Lanka’s hospitality sector, the HSA plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of the supply chain that supports the tourism industry. Our members—from suppliers to manufacturers—are dedicated to supporting the continued growth and resilience of this vital industry, particularly as the country seeks to recover and thrive in the post-pandemic era.

We believe that the vision and leadership of Minister Vijitha Herath will be pivotal in strengthening Sri Lanka’s position as a premier destination for both leisure and business tourism. The HSA stands ready to collaborate with the Tourism Ministry and other stakeholders to support initiatives aimed at enhancing the tourism sector, fostering sustainable growth and reinforcing Sri Lanka’s global appeal. The HSA would welcome the opportunity to engage with Minister Herath and the Tourism Ministry to discuss the potential, challenges and future direction of the industry. Together, we hope to address key issues and identify opportunities to advance Sri Lanka’s tourism industry to new levels of success.

Once again, we extend our warmest congratulations to Minister Vijitha Herath and wish him continued success in his new role.