A catwalk like no other

While the big cat from the Vanni is on the prowl all over, directing suicide killers, setting off bombs and directing mortar shells on to schools, the Tourist Board has brought down models from abroad to walk the catwalk to boost tourism here.

Chairman Udaya Nanayakkara, may be delighted to have the longest legs to walk the catwalk wrapped round his body or be caught in a tight hug by the blondest of models, as he finds ways to raise the figures of tourist arrivals to the country.

Whatever the particular modelling delights of the Chairman, at a time when what is publicly projected about the Tourism Industry here are the ludicrous differences between the Minister in charge and his Secretary, and the profligate spending by the Tourist Board; one wonders whether the descent of even on the best of international models can to much for image building of Sri Lanka in the world outside. This is not something any jury will be out for very long.

While the long-legged and blondest models who framed the face of the Chairman in the news photos last week did not have the gauntness that dominates the catwalk in the fashion centres of the world, it is interesting to know whether Colombo's mayor Imitiyas has ruled on the minimum weight in relation to body mass that a model should have before getting on the catwalk here, as the mayors of London, Rio and Madrid have already done. This was after tragedy struck the catwalks in those cities, by way of models that starved to death in search of the ideal shape.

With long legs and blonde hair being in focus at the catwalk of tourism promotion, one notes the absence of the models of more substantial proportions today, with the importance of vital statistics giving way to the gaunt, and women with better physical endowment having no place in the world of modelling. In a land of rice and curry, with repeated bountiful harvests, one hopes the Model Mania of those who direct the Tourism Industry will not make the lean and hungry look of today's models the standard for feminine shape and looks in Sri Lanka.

There was a time when the Sigiriya frescoes played a major role in tourism promotion in here. It was not long ago that plans were made to give life to the Sigiriya maidens, bring them down from their lofty abode and make them dance to the latest rhythms of the world, all in the cause of tourism promotion through sight and sound. That attempt was part of the strategy of Regaining Sri Lanka, rejected outright by voters in April 2004, with the outcry that rose against the systematic destruction of Sri Lankan cultural norms at the core of thinking among those who sought to Regain Sri Lanka for all time.

Yet, Sigiriya still offers some opportunities for those who may look in that direction to promote the Sri Lankan image for tourism. Now that we are on the catwalk of tourism promotion, why not have a new international competition open to the best of designers the world over, to figure out what the Sigiriya maidens would have worn below their waists. With a little bit of luck, and more than an ounce of good, intelligent promotion, one can expect to have the best names in design from Milan, Paris, London, Tokyo, New York, Bombay and Rio many other fashion centres, queuing to come here to study the real frescoes before getting back to their drawing boards and cutting tables.

It would be a catwalk like none other, with the best of models vying to show off the designs of today's best names in world of haute couture as they seek to clothe the 6th Century maidens of Sigiriya.

There is little purpose in lamenting about the numbers of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka are dropping due the adverse publicity the country receives and the negative travel advisories issued by foreign governments. What is needed is a little more creativity and innovation in the marketing and promotion of Sri Lanka. To give just one more example, it would be interesting to know how the Tourist Board would market a failed state, which is what the Minister of Tourism recently said this country is. Now, that is a challenge that can make the Chairman and entire directorate of the Tourist Board walk the plank if not the catwalk. Bring in the long legs and blondes if that can help.No one will complain.

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