Minister Harin Fernando has responded to a statement made by National People’s Power leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, requesting a detailed account of the expenses incurred during his foreign trips as the tourism minister.
The response was conveyed through a letter sent to Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake today, which included information about Minister Harin Fernando’s foreign travels.
In the letter, Minister Harin Fernando expressed his strong condemnation of what he described as baseless and contemptuous accusations. He urged Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake to correct the misleading statement.
The letter elaborated on the significant challenges faced when taking over the Ministry of Tourism, emphasizing that it occurred at a time when the tourism industry was nearly non-existent. It highlighted the remarkable progress achieved in rebuilding the industry over the past two years, resulting in a historic record of success. Sri Lanka has emerged as a leading tourist destination, known for having the fastest-growing tourism industry globally.
Additionally, the letter addressed the takeover of the Ministry of Sports during a period when the country faced a cricket ban. It stressed that lifting the ban required extensive international efforts and foreign campaigns.
The minister stated in the letter that all his foreign travels were funded with his personal money and he did not use any ministry funds.
The full letter is provided below.
