With many industries taking the steps to open up, the event industry in the country has been somewhat left in the dust, with regulations vastly limiting events and functions. Addressing these effects on the event industry in Sri Lanka, Event Management Association of Sri Lanka (EMASL) President Roshan Wijeyaratne shared with us his thoughts, set out some of the setbacks they have experienced over the past 16 months amidst the Covid pandemic, and shared recommendations to resume the industry without further delay.
He shared that the industry is unsurprisingly in a dire state at present due to these Covid-infused restrictions. He also said that the industry is suffering from discrimination; whilst authorities have let other activities take place, the event industry has been largely ignored. He pointed out that it is imperative that the Government treats the event management business like any other, adding that what’s at stake is the difference between saving 130,000 direct jobs and 600,000 livelihoods, or letting all those voices go unheard.
He questioned why is it, despite the President himself expressing that the country simply cannot shut down as so many livelihoods are dependent on it being safe, that the Covid Task Force is unrelenting in allowing the event industry to also benefit from these recommendations?
He said that what they ask is that the Government allow the conducting of bigger corporate events with safety guidelines. Adding that 50 persons per corporate event does not serve any purpose, proposing that the number be increased to about 150 and allow 50% seating capacity at places like Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Nelum Pokuna, and Lionel Wendt. He further shared that they have in fact submitted a Covid-safe handbook to top government officials but that too has gone unconsidered.
Wijeyaratne shared that what they are requesting is not leeway for “parties”, which is a misconception that the authorities have latched on to. He shared that while they are appreciative of and recognise the progressive guidelines adopted for the allocation of regulations to carry out weddings, they urge the authorities to look into the benefits they stand to gain from allowing weddings and not corporate functions like sales conferences.
He added that conducting corporate functions and conferences online is a big ask; there are many who wish not to go online, owing to the confidentiality of some of the subject matter that is being discussed in these gatherings. In sales conferences there are facts, figures, budgeting outlines that are discussed and while one can certainly suggest and attempt to implement strict guidelines not to record or prevent the unethical sharing of this confidential information, it is not a given and far less controllable than at an in-person setting.
He pointed out that the 225-member Parliament never ran online, and the members attend Parliament because they have to keep the country moving forward. Similarly, the private sector has a requirement to hold gatherings in order to keep their businesses functioning effectively.
Speaking about whether the public is ready to participate in an open environment if the authorities were to relax their stance on events and social gatherings, Wijeyaratne shared that the public are most definitely ready – they are simply waiting for the opportunity. He said if movie theatres are able to open and can maintain the right safety regulations and maintain social distancing, then certainly concerts and such events can also take place. He pointed out that there is a large cross-section of performers who have been left in the dark – those performers who rely on concerts and performances for their livelihoods and recording artists and live performers like dance troupes and musicians who are reliant on a live audience.
Wijeyaratne shared that they feel as though there has been a considerable oversight on the part of the authorities with regards to the presently implemented restrictions that negatively affect the event industry.
