Mr. S. Paramanathan of Atlas Lanka (Pvt) Ltd
President IATA-AASL 2010/ 2011

Dear Ladies and “A warm welcome to each one of you to the 36th Annual General Meeting of TAASL and the 23rd Annual General Meeting of IATA-AASL. I’m glad to see a good attendance at the AGM this evening. The motto of our association is upholding unity, creating diversity, maintaining sustainability and accounting for transparency and I would to emphasize on each one of these today.

It is our responsibility to keep the respect of the industry and lift the rating of the industry. Thousands of students sit for the Advanced level examination; few enter the medical faculty, few enter the engineering faculty, few enter the law faculty and the rest physical science, bio science, business management and arts faculty. The few who could not enter the university may choose to do CIMA, ACCA, CIM or computer science at private institutions. Rest of the students tries to find jobs in the Govt. sector. And not many are interested in getting into the Travel Trade.

There are a few institutes conducting travel and ticketing courses and I had have chats with 3 of them & realized the best time to advertise is not after the A/L exams, but its better after the O/L exam. They call for the application for the basic fares and ticketing course with English, Mathematics Credit whereas they can’t get enough enrolment for the class. The key issues from a human resource perspective are;

1) Low starting salary
2) Poor salary increment
3) Irregular bonuses
4) Lack of assistance given for their education

We have not sustained enough for our staff as well as for ourselves. We are just working for a profit of Rs. 50- 100. We are always in fear if we quote more we may lose business. We are to be blamed for our lack of transparency and unity.

Our industry is a service industry and service providers are taking advantage of it by taking decisions over night and implementing these decisions on us by force the very next day. This is due to the lack of unity in the industry.

Therefore, we all have to get together to formulate a marketing development program to maintain ourselves, and join hands together and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among ourselves.
I firmly believe that as an industry, we need to band together and strengthen our stance when it comes to our businesses in order t secure what is best for the growth of the organization and its employees. There is a need for unity when it comes to policy decisions and if this fraternity works together for one common goal, the benefits would be numerous.

Last but not the least; I would like to end my speech stressing on the key words once again:- "UNITY, SUSTAINBAILITY and TRANSPARENCY.”

Thank you.

Mr. Wijetunga
President IATA-AASL 2009/ 2010

Good evening distinguished guests and fellow members of the IATA Agents Association of Sri Lanka. It is with great pleasure and pride that I address you as the newly elected President of the IATA Agents’ Association of Sri Lanka for the year 2009/2010. The travel industry, in common with other business communities, had been struggling to keep its head above water over the years as a result of the prolonged bloody conflict which had scourged our beautiful country for three decades – several international airlines – Swiss Air, KLM, British Airways, Air France and Etihad to name some – ceased operations to Sri Lanka thereby curtailing our members’ activity.

However, as the saying goes “every dark cloud has a silver lining”, this is something we need to capitalise on, now that peace has dawned. Inbound tourism will undoubtedly boom and this is a great opportunity for us to make a concerted effort to woo the airlines mentioned earlier and even others to operate to Sri Lanka.

It would obviously be to our mutual benefit. On my part, as the President of the IATA-AASL, I pledge my un-stinted support towards this cause and I am sure that my fellow members will join me in same. Needless to say, we would obviously need the strongest backing of the Government, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministries of Aviation and Tourism. On another note, the airline industry is obviously going through a very difficult time and, as the Director General & CEO of IATA stated at the recent ‘IATA AGM and World Air Transport Summit’ held in Kuala Lumpur, “Our industry is in survival mode. Whether this crisis is long or short, the world is changing. But the bottom line is that the crisis must be used as an opportunity for governments, partners and airlines to build a stronger industry.”

We, in Sri Lanka, have now got this opportunity and must make maximum use of same. Airlines, no doubt, will be looking at ways and means of cutting costs, mainly due to the global recession coupled with new low cost airlines emerging which have eroded their market share.

In Sri Lanka, the airlines are contemplating on reducing the credit periods and a possibility exists that airlines may deal direct with the customers, bypassing the agents. If the first option is executed, this would be detrimental to the agents whilst the second would be our death knell. We should therefore strive to maintain a rapport with the airlines in an endeavour to ensure that such harsh measures will not be pursued. I am certain that if we work together with determination, we can achieve our goals. I hope I have not bored you all, especially our distinguished guests, with what some may call a long drawn out one but trust you will agree that the issues covered were of importance to all of us and needed to be outlined in detail. In conclusion, I would like to say that this is my second term as President and I would like to thank my predecessors, particularly the outgoing President, Mr. Rizmi Reyal, for a job well done in his own inimitable style. I assure you that I will do my best to emulate them so that our Association will grow even stronger and ensure that our industry is protected at all times.

Thank you & God bless you all.
Mr. Bernard Wijetunge President IATA-AASL 2009/ 2010

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Mr.Rizmi Reyal
President IATA-AASL 2008/ 2009

Two decades have lapsed, since the IATA Association of Sri Lanka was formed in 1988. The road we traveled has been long and eventful. Yes, there were speed breakers that may have slowed us down, and diversions that caused us to rethink our strategies. When we were faced with roadblocks, we never gave up, but always negotiated another way. With that constantly in our minds, we reached our Goals no matter what. Yes, together, we have taken every step of the way keeping the interest of our membership in sight at all times. As, your Outgoing President, I am sure and also equally certain, that my predecessors have, and my successor will, keep “The Dream Alive” and the “Fire, Burning Bright”.

History was made last year in Thailand, when, for the first time, two Travel Associations in Sri Lanka held their AGM’s concurrently with both memberships being present at the same place on the same day!!!!!

The Organizers were faced with severe “security considerations” to protect so many leaders of the Travel Industry as the IATA held its 20th & TAASL held its 33rd AGM.

It was indeed a success, as the large turnout and the spirit of unity that prevailed on that memorable day in Thailand, has continued today in Sri Lanka, which augurs well, for our collective future. It is my fervent hope that this spirit of unity continues, despite the diversities of our business. Although, I may add, that despite the best of intentions, it is at times saddening to note that we have created our own barriers and segregated ourselves into categories like Europe, Middle East, Corporate, Far East and the Indian Sub continent, based on our Business Modules.
However, I would like to say that, ...

"Our lanes may be different, but the main road is common. Our business may be different, but our destinies are shared. We may have different ways of getting there, but in the end together we WILL get there".

I would also like to draw your attention to the Leisure Industry, especially the Out Bound segment within it, where the Airlines have come out with various offers to divert our “Bread & Butter” not realizing that we are the main supply route that keeps their Aircrafts full. They reach out to our clients directly confusing them with various offers & promotions. Some have even gone to the extent of offering “Free Stays” & even “One Rupee” extensions….!!!!!

We are unable to match these offers, as the “Diluted Airfare Component”, is not available to us. With the downward trend of the Local, Regional & Global economy, it is important that we all work towards our goals in a realistic manner. Therefore, it has been my ardent hope that all members of our association be united in the face of these adversities. Towards this end, we have had many joint SGMs to address these issues of mutual concern. To increase our competitive edge, we have had many training programs and I take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to SLAAR who partnered us in this venture.

Having attended the UFTAA Conference as a member of a Joint Delegation of IATA & TAASL held in Manila from the 18th to 22nd October last year, much experience was gained & knowledge shared with Travel Agents from across the Globe. I would like to stress that, “We are not alone in our struggles”. I once again take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Saman Premakumara of TAASL on his being elected a Deputy Director of our Region at this Congress. Yes, colleagues this is the first time that Sri Lanka has got representation on the Regional Board, after the Founding Father of our Association, Mr. Udaya Nanayakkara had the distinction of being The President of UFTAA.

This augurs well for our future and for the integration into the Global Stage. They took up resolutions to:
   Increase the frequency of BSP settlements
   Build an interest to create an UFTAA accreditation to commercialize principal products by Jan 2010.
   Defend the interests of UFTAA members through legal procedures.

IATA & TAASL held many joint meetings in order to discuss the IATA Accreditation Criteria, the Industry Bank Guarantee requirement and the Proposed Weekly Remittance, whilst keeping in mind the welfare of all our members irrespective of their commercial strengths, categories, shapes and sizes. Together we even managed to extend the validity period of the Industry Bank Guarantee that was to expire on the 30th June 2009 until 31st December 2009, maintaining the minimum IBG at Rs.5 million with a daily topping up, as per the current practice and also with a fortnightly settlement calendar.

The weekly settlement which was proposed to be effective from 1st Jan 2009 is now up for review before the end of this year with a proposed implementation date of January 2010. The untiring efforts of your representatives at these forums, achieved this and I am sure these will continue in the crucial months ahead on your behalf.

In the meantime, IATA together with TAASL took up many issues concerning the Billing Settlement Plan with the Civil Aviation Authorities and were able to, with their patronage, understanding & support, defer the BSP weekly settlement period, to January 2010. May, I take this opportunity to extend a special ‘Thank You’ to Mr. Parakrama Dissanayake & Mr.Rayhan Wanniappa, for all the time they have devoted on our behalf. The CAA has been with us in good times & bad.

We have taken our numerous issues to them & have found a sympathetic ear and some form of solution, based on the best interest of our Industry. I am sure we can continue to count on the CAA without fear. The industry is fully aware that Sri Lanka is a credit market and that it would not be easy to settle within 7 days for most of the members. This matter was referred to the IATA Orient Assembly for a mail vote. UFTAA had also protested in this connection. However, although the EC was pushing for their decision to bring it forward, it has, up to now remained as it is and has been deferred to January 2010.

We are trying to obtain Official Recognition, for the IATA as well, from the Government of Sri Lanka in addition to TAASL. This, I believe will strengthen the Industry, and also increase our profile in the Regional Stage. I will be working closely with my successor elected here tonight in making this a reality. With regard to the exemption on the 1% TDL Levy on the commissions earned on Airline ticketing, our two Associations should be thankful to Mr. Nihal Perera, Past President TAASL for his intervention in his capacity as the Board Member of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

Before, I step down as your President; I wish to state that I was humbled by the honor of serving you and hope that my Council and I have maintained the integrity of the office, bestowed upon us and not let any one of you down in any way. As I hand over the mantle of office to Bernard today, as our 21st President, he also gets the “Traditional 21st AGM Key”, which I am certain, under his able guidance and experience, will open many doors to a brighter and secure future for all our members. Bernard! You are taking the mantle of Presidency, at a very crucial stage in our industry, with many challenges and hurdles ahead.
Please be assured of my fullest cooperation, as your Immediate Past President in the year ahead.

In conclusion my sincere thanks and appreciation is extended to:

  The Secretariat, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, for their services,
  Our Airline partners for their support during the year,
  The Diplomatic Missions,
  The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka,
  Mr. Clifford Christopher the Country Manager of Qatar Airways for coming forward
    as the Exclusive Sponsor at the Cricket Super 6’s Tournament.
  Our GDS partners, especially AMADEUS who has very kindly offered to be our main SPONSOR,
  Kingfisher Airlines for coming forward to provide us with the rebated tickets,
  All the members of our Operations Council for their enthusiasm, coordination and team work at all our functions,
  Thai Airways for their generous contribution towards this event, And
  Last but not least my fellow Council members, without whose support and assistance, this year would have not been a     complete and successful year.

Thank you
Mr.Rizmi Reyal
President IATA / AASL – 2008 / 2009

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