Those involved in the industry are facing severe inconvenience due to the ban on para-motoring along the Benthara River.
They point out that the Tourism Development Authority took steps to ban para-motoring abruptly.
The Benthara, Beruwala and Moragalla tourist areas have been attracting foreign tourists due to the beauty of the Benthara River.
This para-motoring facility along the river has further intensified that attraction.
Due to the high interest of tourists, two service providers, led by them, have been conducting para-motoring there for the past four years, also obtaining the services of foreign pilots, providing employment opportunities to many more.
But the paramotoring sport, a very attractive sport that can earn foreign exchange, has now been stopped due to the intervention of the Tourism Development Authority, industry insiders say.
Industry insiders allege that this was done at the behest of some senior officials of the Tourism Development Authority.
“This sport has been stopped because some noise from this sport is a hindrance to hotels. We requested the Tourism Development Authority to conduct a proper investigation into this. They also refused and stopped it.
Seven people who retired from the air force worked. Two foreign pilots had it. A pilot from Colombia is also with us. He is afraid that he will lose his job. One of them has even left the country.
All the aircraft that are there are parked in the yards. Just saying that those aircraft exist is a sign of deterioration,” he said.