JKH says Easter Sunday bombing will have negative impact on tourism and economy

• Cinnamon Grand to open for public on April 30

Sri Lanka’s premier blue chip John Keells Holdings PLC which owns and manages a number of hotels and resorts in Sri Lanka and Maldives said, the Easter Sunday bombing will have a negative impact on the tourism industry and other sectors of the economy.

JKH urged authorities to take firm action to prevent these kinds of barbaric acts in future. 

“The attacks on Easter Sunday will have a negative impact on the tourism industry and other sectors of the economy. While we will play our part to help the industry and country achieve a speedy recovery, we call upon the relevant authorities to take urgent steps to prevent a recurrence of these heinous acts,” a JKH statement said.    

Meanwhile, JKH said in the aftermath of this tragedy, security measures have been enhanced and additional safety measures introduced, in consultation with the authorities and security experts, to ensure the safety of our guests and team members in all our Cinnamon City and Resort Hotels and all our places of business.

Cinnamon Grand, Colombo has commenced taking new bookings from April 22  and all its restaurants - excluding those in the affected area on the lower ground floor at the rear of the hotel, will open to the public from April 30, 2019. 

All prior bookings for banquets and rooms will continue as planned, JKH said. 

While expressing condolences to those affected at Cinnamon Grand and other locations, JKH appreciated the courageous and speedy action by the team at Cinnamon Grand in assisting with the injured, which led to saving many lives.   

“The courageous and speedy action by the team at Cinnamon Grand, in assisting with emergency medical evacuations for those affected, in the face of shock and profound grief was truly remarkable and led to saving many lives. 

“This extraordinary attitude and response at a time of strife, including the securing of the hotel, gave comfort to our guests, with most of the guests at Cinnamon Grand opting to remain at the hotel.  The hotel has remained operational throughout for in-house guests.

“We are humbled by these actions and salute our team at Cinnamon Grand and all those who have assisted us in numerous ways including hospital staff, the police, security forces and so many others, too numerous to mention,” JKH statement said.