Mitigate travel advisory on SL New Tourism Minister rushes to London

Speaker has acted contrary to all laws and conventions

In the wake of travel advisories by some countries based on the current political unrest here, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed newly-appointed Tourism Minister Vasantha Senanayake to visit London to mitigate the damage, an official said yesterday.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) led by the Prime Minister, briefed the media yesterday that several countries had upgraded their travel advisories following claims by the UNP leaders and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya of blood baths.

SLPP Chairman G.L. Peiris said the Speaker had acted entirely contrary to the laws and conventions by entertaining envoys and MPS in Parliament despite prorogation. He said some countries issued travel advisories following talks of bloodshed. “This has happened at a time when the well-known magazine ‘Lonely Planet’ identified Sri Lanka as the number one destination for tourists. It is a hit on the economy. This is the tourist season. Hotels have been booked. Talks of bloodbath are entirely reckless and treacherous,” Prof. Peiris said.

He said the Prime Minister asked Minister Senanayake to travel to London along with hotel industry representatives to talk to the stakeholders.

This has happened at a time when the wellknown magazine ‘Lonely Planet’ identified Sri Lanka as the number one destination for tourists