Speaking in Parliament, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath cleared the air regarding state sponsorship for the 63rd Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) General Assembly.
He stated that the administration did not handpick MTV to host the event. The choice was made back in 2024 in Türkiye. The state merely stepped in to grab a massive opportunity to market Sri Lanka to the world.
Global media spotlight
According to the Minister, the union covers around 225 media networks across 66 nations. Nearly 350 foreign delegates arrived for the Colombo event, including giants like Japan's NHK, Australia's ABC, China Media Group, South Korea's KBS, India's Prasar Bharati, Singapore's Mediacorp, and Türkiye's TRT.
Documentaries and features highlighting top travel spots such as Galle, Bentota, Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Kandy, Nagadeepa, and Trincomalee were put together alongside workshops, opening doors for massive international publicity.
“The sponsorship extended by the Tourism Promotion Bureau for the 63rd ABU summit was aimed at advancing tourism promotion in Sri Lanka. It was done in good faith, legally and through the proper procedures,”Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath
Clearances and past sponsorships
Herath pointed out that state promotional funds go to both private and state outlets. He cited the Derana international kite festival, ITN and Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation programmes, and the Raid Amazones event which drew 250 French female participants and 55 international staff members.
He added that the ABU funding got full approval from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Board of Directors, the Department of Public Finance, and the Cabinet of Ministers.
