Colombo, Sri Lanka – The inaugural meeting of the Travel Journalists Alliance (TJA) held on 20th October 2025 marked the formation of a pioneering collective of media professionals dedicated to promoting Sri Lanka’s tourism industry across multiple platforms. Conceptualised by veteran journalist Claude Gunasekera, the Alliance brings together editors, writers, and content creators representing mainstream newspapers, international trade publications, digital platforms, and social media channels.
This marks the first-ever initiative in Sri Lanka uniting travel and tourism-related media professionals under one umbrella, with the shared goal of elevating Sri Lanka’s visibility as a global travel destination. The Alliance aims to foster collaboration, ethical journalism, and sustainability-focused storytelling that highlights the island’s diverse tourism offerings and growing appeal among international travellers.
Speaking on the initiative, Claude Gunasekera, Founder and Secretary of the Travel Journalists Alliance, stated,“This Alliance represents a new chapter for travel journalism in Sri Lanka. By working together, we can share stories that not only inspire travel but also reflect responsible and ethical reporting. Our focus is on sustainability, authenticity, and promoting Sri Lanka’s tourism with integrity across every medium.”
At the inaugural meeting, the founding members appointed the first committee of the Travel Journalists Alliance, comprising leading names in Sri Lanka’s media landscape:
President: Sanath Weerasuriya – Travel Editor, Sunday Times and Daily Mirror
Vice Presidents:
- Steve Morrel Dep. Business Editor, The Island
- Dinushka Chandrasena – Editor in Chief, Travel Talk Asia
- Geethika Weerakoon, Chief Editor, Serendib News
- Mohamed Rasooldeen, Chief Editor Colombo Times
Secretary:
- Claude Gunasekera – Chief Editor, Lankapuvath, LankaTourguide, Journalist Daily News.
Asst. Secretaries:
- Dharmasri Abeyratna, Business Editor Daily News
- Inoka Perera – Business Editor, Silumina
- Treasurer: Zanita Careem –Features Editor, The Island
- Asst. Treasurer Buddhika Brahkmanage, Business Editor, Dinamina
- Head Digital Media (English) – Melkishya Andrew, Senior Journalist The Morning
- Head of Digital (Sinhala): Harindi Liyanage, Chief Editor, Navaliya
- Head of PR: Nelum Buddhadasa – Features Journalist, newsasia.lk
Executive Committee Members:
- Sudath Malaweera, Photographer, ANCL
- Marlon Dharmendra, Editor 7plusnews
- Shanuka Kadupitiya, Senior Journalist Ceylon Today
- Nishel Fernando, Senior Journalist, Daily Mirror.
- Glen De Mel, Head of Advertising Sales-StarMedia.
- Virosh Perera Director Marketing & Communication has been unanimously elected elected as Patron.
The Travel Journalists Alliance aims to serve as a unified voice for Sri Lanka’s travel media community, creating synergies between traditional journalism and news media while ensuring accurate, engaging, and responsible content that supports the nation’s tourism objectives.
By Nelum Buddhadasa