Photo: Award winners on stage. A wide cross section of entrepreneurs who have impacted the Tourism and Travel Trade. Inset – Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake speaks to a well represented audience. ‘We would soon get rid of the scourge of terrorism and Sri Lanka will be a Land like no other.”

The Travel and Tourism Awards ceremony held on Monday was not all that unique, but its concept enveloped entirety of the travel trade projecting novelty recognizing individual effort and the will to succeed in these times of distress. More so an entire cross section of entrepreneurs had their efforts recognized and rewarded through public and acclaim. Journalism too was not forgotten.

The ceremony unfolded at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). Top marks to its organizers who ensured an event characterized with dignity and decorum befitting established standards and more importantly maintained the good image of the industry and the Brand ‘Sri Lanka a land like no other.’ Foreign tour operators were present. So too many others from diverse disciplines yet connected to the travel trade.

Secretary Ministry of Tourism George Michael in his short address said the awards ceremony recognized singular merit and considering those who had preceded present leaders in the travel trade it was opportune that all such efforts be recognized. Their contribution and performances were the legacy they left behind for others to follow.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake was chief guest. He lamented that tourism was a direct victim of terrorism. But with recent successes of the armed forces from a situation of stochastic resonance would emerge order and prosperity to fully justify that Sri Lanka as the blurb said was a land like no other. He also said efforts of Minister of Tourism Milinda Moragoda was the catalyst promulgating innovative schemes which sustained the industry in these troubled times. He praised Moragoda’s unobtrusive yet clinical organizational skills culminating in the awards.

Deputy Minister Faizer Mustapha, and MP Arjuna Ranatunga were also present.

Wickramanayake was confident the scourge of terrorism would soon be wiped out and the tourism industry would again emerge and enlarged sector positively impacting on the economy. It was also one that projected the Sri Lankan image of natural beauty where many races and peoples living in amity and concord morphed into shape the icon that Sri Lanka was reputed to be.

The awards characterized eleven specific areas for recognition.

Pioneers in the Industry who had passed on were not forgotten. Additionally there were also awards for chauffeur guides, electronic and print media, all areas in some way connected to the industry identifying diversity and probably limitless possibilities for originality and imagination.

Chairman Panel of judges Nalin Attygala outlined in general, the basis for judging and consensus was that entirety of the exercise fulfilled its objective.