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By: Isuru Parakrama
February 09, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has taken a significant step towards strengthening its event management industry with the appointment of a 25-member advisory council under the patronage of Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti.
Announced today (09), the initiative marks the first occasion on which the Ministry of Industries has created a dedicated advisory body for a service-oriented sector.
Recognised locally as a creative industry for more than three decades, the event management field has become a major source of employment, providing direct jobs for around 30,000 people and supporting a further 80,000 indirectly. Industry estimates suggest that more than 400,000 families benefit from the sector, which generated approximately Rs. 60 billion in revenue last year.
Stakeholders have set ambitious targets to expand this figure to Rs. 250 billion, taking advantage of strong global growth, where the industry is valued at about US$1.5 trillion and continues to grow at double-digit rates annually.
The newly formed council is chaired by Saliya Weerasekara, President of the Event Management Association, and brings together experts from government, private enterprise and academia. At its inaugural meeting, members discussed long-standing bottlenecks and future opportunities, including plans to position Sri Lanka as a leading events destination in South Asia.
Key areas identified for reform included simplifying approval processes, protecting intellectual and creative rights, developing a coordinated national events calendar, improving domestic air connectivity, and investing in venues capable of hosting large-scale international events in Colombo.
Officials believe the move will give fresh momentum to the industry, help promote Sri Lankan creativity on the global stage, and create stronger links between event management and the country’s tourism strategy.
Members:
Mr. Saliya Weerasekara Chairman (Chairman, EMA Sri Lanka)
Mr. Nalin Premaratne Regional Representative – Central Province
Mr. Seru Wimalasena Regional Representative – Southern Province
Mr. Ananda Ramanadan Regional Representative – Northern & Eastern Provinces
Mr. Nisal Kaldera Corporate Events
Mr. Roshan Wijerathna Industry Pioneer / Former Chairman, EMA
Mr. Bhathiya Jayakody Entertainment Industry & Artist Management
Mr. Gayan Attanayake Ticketing Policy & Regulation
Mr. Hemantha Local & International Destination Weddings
Mr. Kapila Peiris MICE Specialist (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)
Mr. Cham Dias Local & International Destination Weddings
Mr. Kamesh
Mr. Janesh
Mr. Nishan Wasalathanthri
Mr. Sachith Kodikara
