Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has called on Sri Lanka's tourism industry to step up its commitment to creating quality employment, empowering young people, and expanding meaningful opportunities for women across the sector. The Prime Minister made these remarks during the inaugural ceremony of the Bachelor of Hotel and Resort Management (Honours) Degree Programme at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) in Colombo on 27 October 2026, marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to professionalize and elevate its hospitality workforce.
A New Chapter for Tourism Education in Sri Lanka
The launch of the Bachelor of Hotel and Resort Management (Honours) Degree Programme at SLITHM represents a landmark development in Sri Lanka's tourism and hospitality education landscape. The inaugural batch comprises 65 students who are set to become the first graduates of this specialized honours degree, designed to equip them with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to thrive in the competitive global hospitality industry.
SLITHM, long recognized as a leading institution for tourism and hotel management training in Sri Lanka, has taken a decisive step forward by introducing this degree-level qualification. The programme is expected to attract talented young Sri Lankans who aspire to build professional careers in hotels, resorts, and broader tourism enterprises, both locally and internationally. By offering a structured academic pathway, the institution aims to bridge the gap between industry demand and the availability of highly skilled hospitality professionals in the country.
Prime Minister's Vision for a Stronger Tourism Sector
Addressing the gathering at the inaugural ceremony, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya underscored the critical role that the tourism industry must play in driving inclusive economic growth in Sri Lanka. She emphasized that tourism should not merely be viewed as a revenue-generating sector but as a powerful platform for creating dignified, quality employment opportunities for the nation's youth and for women who remain underrepresented in many areas of the industry.
The Prime Minister's message was clear: the industry must evolve beyond offering low-skilled, seasonal, or informal work and instead invest in building a workforce that is professionally trained, fairly compensated, and given genuine pathways for career advancement. She highlighted that young people entering the tourism sector deserve roles that challenge and reward them, and that institutions like SLITHM play a vital part in making that vision a reality.
Dr. Amarasuriya also placed particular emphasis on the need to expand opportunities for women within tourism and hospitality. While women make up a significant portion of the workforce in many areas of the service industry, they are often concentrated in lower-paying roles with limited prospects for growth. The Prime Minister called on industry stakeholders, employers, and policymakers to actively work toward dismantling these barriers and creating an environment where women can rise to leadership positions and enjoy equal professional recognition.
Tourism as an Engine of Economic Recovery
Sri Lanka's tourism industry has been on a path of recovery and rebuilding following several years of significant challenges, including the economic crisis that severely impacted the country. Tourism remains one of the most important foreign exchange earners for Sri Lanka, and its revival is closely tied to the nation's broader economic stabilization efforts. In this context, investing in human capital through quality education and professional training is seen as essential to ensuring the sector's long-term competitiveness and sustainability.
The introduction of a degree programme specifically tailored to hotel and resort management sends a strong signal to both local and international investors that Sri Lanka is serious about raising the standard of its hospitality workforce. A well-trained, highly skilled tourism workforce not only improves the visitor experience but also enhances the country's reputation as a premium destination capable of attracting high-value tourists.
Empowering the Next Generation of Hospitality Leaders
For the 65 students who form the first batch of the SLITHM honours degree programme, the opportunity represents far more than an academic qualification. It is an entry point into a dynamic global industry with diverse career pathways, from hotel operations and resort management to tourism marketing, event management, and entrepreneurship. With the right training and institutional support, these graduates are well-positioned to become the next generation of hospitality leaders who will shape Sri Lanka's tourism narrative on the world stage.
The Prime Minister's participation in the inaugural ceremony itself reflects the government's recognition of tourism education as a national priority. By championing the cause of quality employment, youth empowerment, and gender inclusivity within the sector, Dr. Amarasuriya has set a clear expectation for the industry to align its practices with the country's broader social and economic development goals.
As Sri Lanka continues its journey toward economic resilience, the tourism industry's ability to create meaningful, inclusive, and quality employment will be a defining measure of its true contribution to the nation's future prosperity.