Navin charts way forward for tourism and sports

Young politician Navin Dissanayake is inspired by a rich legacy left behind his father, the iconic Gamini Dissanayake, and his grandfather Andrew Dissanayake. A lawyer by profession, Navin (45) has proved himself since entering politics in 2000 as a young MP representing Nuwara Eliya. He stands for decency and democratic values in Lankan politics and at the recent presidential poll the Nuwara Eliya – Maskeliya electorate gave a thumping boost to the Opposition’s common candidate.
Under the new President Maithripala Sirisena-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Government, Dissanayake was appointed as the Minister for Tourism and Sports, two subjects which are of immense significance post-war. Previously, under different administrations, Dissanayake had served as Minister of Public Management Reforms, Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and the Minister of Investment Promotion.
He is an Attorney-at-Law and holds a Master’s Degree in Finance and Financial Law from University of London. He graduated from the University of Sussex in Law and was called to the Bar in the United Kingdom as a Barrister-at-Law from the Middle temple. Still early days in his new Ministry, the Daily FT met with Navin to get some initial insights into his vision and plans for the development of tourism and sports.

Minister for Tourism and Sports Navin Dissanayake – Pic by Daminda Harsha Perera

 

 

 

 

Q: Could you outline your vision and priorities in the first 100 days?
A: In tourism, we are addressing the breakdown in the Tourism Development Authority and promotions. We are focusing on improving good governance in the administration apart from an emphasis on marketing and promotions. Previously the tourism administration was handled by one or two people. We have recently appointed key professionals to head two important institutions – Paddy Withana as Tourism Development Authority Chairman and Rohantha Athukorala as Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman. What I expect them to do in the 100 days is put the functions and processes of the institutions in place and normalise the situation. It is bleeding now and I expect them to heal the wounds. I have had several interactions with industry stakeholders who are happy with the appointments.
This Government has recognised the need for a dedicated Ministry for Tourism. After the general election, whether it is me or someone else, we will have a well-formulated macro plan for branding Sri Lanka properly and thereby win back our traditional markets and succeed better in new markets as well as various segments of the tourism market. There are many positives now but since the end of the war I don’t think have harnessed the momentum properly. The tourism sector just drifted like a rudderless boat. I want to bring all stakeholders together and unite the industry to achieve much better results. The President and Prime Minister are very keen that we market Sri Lanka properly. Since we are normalising our relations with the West, the scope is greater.

 
Q: The debate about minimum room rates has resurfaced. What are your views?
A: I have had some insights to the minimum room rate. The inbound to operators are the people who are against it but the hoteliers are for it. And the numbers show that hotels have benefited from the minimum room rate. So I think cash flow, profitability all have increased. So unless I am given contrary evidence, I can’t go beyond the facts that have been presented. Minimum room rate is only for Colombo hotels and it’s not for the outstation hotels and I don’t think it should be made to be such an issue. But I am willing to give everybody a patient hearing.

 
Q: What plans to appoint new officials in Tourism Promotion Bureau and Tourism Development Authority?
A: Former officials are out. As a principle when I take over I prefer to have a clean sheet. As a politician it doesn’t mean that I am prejudiced against anybody, but in principle when I am moving I have my own team. Whether I fail or succeed, then the responsibility comes on me and the team I appoint. If you ask me what my biggest strength as a politician is, it is that I am a good team builder. The new Heads of Promotion Bureau and Development Authority must set up their own teams or appoint people whom they can work with.

 
Q: There were reports of large sums at the Tourism Board being unaccounted for. What is the exact amount?
A: We feel Rs. 300 million has been spent for the presidential election and Rs. 90 million on the provincial council elections. A top level committee probe this as well as allegations in the sports arena, so they will look at how funds have been used in both sports and tourism.

 
Q: How is the Sports Ministry portfolio?
A: The Sports Ministry portfolio is taking a lot of my time in the initial weeks. A host of sports federations and bodies have made representations. I feel these bodies are not united and there are multiple issues facing them collectively and individually. I hope to put a structure in place that will give a general hearing to everybody.

 
Q: The Sri Lanka Cricket Board comes under your oversight. Have you taken stock of the situation and various issues being raised ahead of the World Cup?
A: The Cricket Board is a legally-constituted Board and it’s not an interim committee. If it’s an interim committee, I can do some changes. Until 31 March the current Board will continue. Here too I am going to use my skill as team builder and unite everybody. I am certainly not allowing one or two individuals who have their private agendas to rule, so I am very clear on that.
As long as I am the Minister of Sports, the Cricket Board will and should follow best corporate governance practices. That is what I want and the ICC too. That is how the public also wants it. They (Cricket Board) must be accountable so I am certainly not allowing individual egos to run the affairs of the Cricket Board. That is very clear.
As far as team selections is concerned, I have confidence in the Selection Committee and I think they have done a good job. We must not take the recent successes away just because of losses in series in New Zealand. Sri Lanka Cricket had a very good run in 2014. We won the Test match series in England and we won the Asia Cup. People need to give credit where it is due. We have a special plan for the ICC World Cup 2015. We have already got the services of some people.
Developing not only cricket but every sport is the vision of the President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. I also know a bit about cricket. I am saying not as a professional but certainly my knowledge of cricket is better than other Ministers. The people should have confidence in the new regime. Steps will be taken to ensure the Cricket Board is free of corruption. I seek patience from the public till we put the right structures in place.

 
Q: How does the success of your father, the late Gamini Dissanayake, inspire you in your new Ministry, especially Sports?
A: Actually, when my father took over the then Cricket Board, it was a cashless organisation. He spoke to the private sector and brought in several donors and supporters and put the right structures in place. He also built the Cricket Board Headquarters and the Asagiriya stadium. All this I think he did it within one year. So he improved the infrastructure of the game and then of course he gave inspirational leadership to cricket.
In the ’80s we had brilliant players. I was there in Faisalabad, Pakistan as a boy when Sidath Wettimuny made 157. Soon after the match ended, Imran Khan came and shook hands with my father and said: “Honourable Minister, this team of yours is a world beating one, but the issue is that they are not professionals.” So it took us a long time to mentally strengthen ourselves. Then it took us from 1982 to 1986 to win the first Test Match and it took another 10 years to win the World Cup. After the World Cup, the money came in and money corrupts. Other Cricket Boards also got involved in influencing Sri Lanka Cricket.
I think we should understand the game and have passion and love for the game. Other things are secondary. Money and cricket are synonymous. You can’t separate the two. You can’t say that the Indian Cricket Board is corrupt because they are the most powerful Cricket Board in the world so you have to work with that. I am a realist but I also know that there are limits to things. Our Cricket Board should not be under any other Cricket Board. They should make independent decisions. The question is, are they making independent decisions? For the benefits of Sri Lankans, I think these are timely questions.

 
Q: Will you be combining tourism and cricket during the ICC World Cup? Are you looking at seizing this opportunity?
A: I think now there is a lot of opportunity for synergies between tourism and sports. Apart from cricket, golf is a great example. The rich Japanese, Koreans and Chinese spend a lot of money on golf tourism. Sri Lanka is attractive as a holiday destination but we need to develop more golf courses to effectively tap into the booming golf tourism segment. Sri Lanka also has Arugam Bay, which is now becoming famous for surfing and water sports. So there is great potential in sports tourism for Sri Lanka. We need to encourage private sector investments in this, especially in setting up golf courses.

 
Q: When you crossed over originally from the Opposition to the then Government, there was a lot of reservation. Thereafter you shifted back to the Opposition whose common presidential candidate won and you are in Government today again. Do you think you time all your moves well?
A: Yes, very well. A lot of my friends in the corporate sector didn’t believe that regime change could happen. They thought that given the deep entrenchment of the Rajapaksa family in many things, they had lot at their disposal – power, money, people. So defeating the Rajapaksas was a monumental task, but I had a feeling that it could be done. As a politician I also felt the pulse of the people, that they wanted a change. The verdict on 8 January was very clear.

 
Q: Are you confident that reforms promised in the 100 days program will be delivered?
A: Yes, reforms are needed and wheels are moving in that direction and the 100-day program is progressing satisfactorily. The Prime Minister and the President are keen and working very well. This is a great combination.