Renovated train carriages for backpacking tourists

Barely a week passes without a new hotel project being approved by the Government.

Such hotels are not only in Colombo but also in a number of provincial towns and will cater to both ‘ free spending’ and other tourists coming to Sri Lanka on different tour ‘packages.’

But that has not prevented the Government from targeting the budget minded tourists who care for every dollar they spend. Two ministers think they could even scrape in those measly dollars and cents.

For this purpose, Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and Tourism Minister John Ameratunga obtained approval of the Cabinet for a project that has evoked some laughter in the tourism sector.

They will use Railway lands to place condemned train carriages after they are repaired. As their cabinet memorandum notes, it is for “backpacking tourist accommodation.” The Ministers have decided that Tourism Minister Ameratunga should appoint a committee to ensure “the smooth implementation of the proposed project.”

Most railway land to be utilised for this purpose are those lying alongside the railway lines. Preparing such land and repairing clapped out railway carriages, there is little doubt, will require considerable financial investment.

There will of course be job opportunities which politicos will provide for their supporters. The move will come as a devastating blow for those who have converted their homes along the beachfront to provide tourists Bed- andBreakfast accommodation at budget prices.

Some have made heavy investments with bank loans to construct swimming pools, additional buildings and employ a large number of youth. The growth of this sector has also seen the rapid increase of different dependent supplementary ventures -restaurants, vendors selling handicrafts, food items, thambili and even clothes.