Harin Fernando

Excerpts from a conversation off the latest episode of Danu on Fire on Hi TV. If you have not watched the Tourism Minister answer questions about the future of our country- please do watch it on our online platforms. 

How can we get the dollars in and how can we bring some kind of normalcy to our country is the question in all our minds. Here are some of the answers that was gathered from the latest recording..

You have taken up a crucial ministry at a critical time. What made you say ‘yes’ to taking up the challenge?

Tourism is one of our major revenue generating industries for the country. It was planned that I would take up Tourism, the Prime Minister would handle Exports and our other colleague would handle Foreign Employment. Changes need to be made in these areas, so we had to take the risk and go ahead.

I have been through many sleepless nights. I practically put the party together starting from the logo, to colour, to handling Sajith’s  presidential campaign. But I had to eventually make a decision because you have to decide if you are going to swim or sink. Time will tell if I  made the right decision

Let’s talk about your split from SJB. You were there from its inception. Was it painful for you to walk away?

It has been the worst actually. I have been through many sleepless nights. I practically put the party together starting from the logo, to colour, to handling Sajith’s presidential campaign. But I had to eventually make a decision because you have to decide if you are going to swim or sink. Let’s see, time will tell if I  made the right decision.

The ‘conversation’ between you  and Sarath Fonseka, we have seen memes and a few dubbed versions,on different social Platforms what was it actually about?

So, we had this walk that was organised from Kandy to Colombo which was quite a strenuous effort. I was involved in organising it and doing the walk as well. The agenda was also done for the speakers for the final rally and Sarath Fonseka was not happy with the order in which he was placed to speak. We had an exchange of words while discussing the matter. Ultimately I believe you need to give respect to get respect which I conveyed to him and he got a dose of what he put out.

We have studied in school that our major source of income for the country is tea, coconut and rubber. But it turns out it’s Foreign remittances and tourism that generates the most amount of foreign exchange influx. What immediate action can we take to bring more tourists into the country?

We are currently going through our 'off season'. So this is the time to rebuild and strengthen the industry. I plan to fly overseas for a wedding, so I intend on making it a working holiday and reaching out to France, Germany and the UK. The plan is to reach out to  travel agencies through the embassies and spread the word and the true story of our country, in time for December, when we will be in season. We are working with a few airlines to bring in some fantastic deals with ticket prices. During the off season, we are targeting regions like India, Russia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. So plenty of plans in the pipeline that will be put into action. 

Harin continued on with the ideas and plans that were in store.

The conversation got a little lighter as fried ice cream arrived at the table for dessert. Catch the entire episode of Danu on Fire with Harin Fernando on Hi!!TV and Hi Online

The plan is to reach out to  travel agencies through the embassies and spread the word in time for December.. We are working with a few airlines to bring in some fantastic deals with ticket prices. Off season, we are targeting regions like India, Russia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East