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| Sunday, 4 April 2004 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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2003 record year for tourism 2003 was a record year for tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka with an annual total aggregate of half- a -million, 500,600 to be precise. The last quarter recorded the highest influx with the highest revenue during last year. According to the quarterly review of the economy of Sri Lanka a publication of the International Centre for Ethnic Studies, what was significant was the number of tourist arrivals and earnings during the third quarter, traditionally an off-peak season for tourists. This was due to the rise in regional tourists, especially from India. Another positive development in the tourism sector during 2003, was the 3% rise in per capita expenditure by tourists compared to 2002. On average, every tourist spent almost USD 650 in the country during last year which was only USD 630 in the year 2002. Tourism sector remained buoyant as the peak season (October -March) began in October. Tourist arrivals rose from 36,000 in September to 50,000 in October(39% rise) 54,900 in November(10% rise) and 57,700 in December (5% rise). Earnings from tourism too increased from USD 23 million in September to USD 32 million in October (39% rise) USD 36 million in November (10% rise) and USD 37 million in December (5% rise).The report addressing the issues of the North and East states that skilled labour shortages, scarcity and high cost of inputs were hampering reconstruction activities, particularly in Jaffna, while the emerging economy of the war-ravaged North and East province received a boost with further donor commitments from multilateral and bilateral agencies. The unskilled wage of labourers was Rs 325 last year and these rates were the same in Colombo. The price of a cube of sand had increased by Rs 4000 within an year from Rs 2000 in 2002 to Rs 6000 in 2003. A ton of steel costs 20% higher in Jaffna Rs 65,000, which is only Rs 54,000 in Colombo. According to the Ceylon Electricity Board 85% of the Jaffna peninsula was covered by electricity supplies by end last year. Eighty percent of the total cost of Rs 380 million for the electrification of Jaffna was borne by the ADB. |
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