Protests against turning iconic building into hotel
Hundreds of people gathered in front of the Nuwara Eliya post office last Sunday to protest its handover to an Indian businessman. The 123-year-old building was proposed to be converted into a restaurant.
Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayake, who attended the development committee meeting on Monday (29) at the Nuwara Eliya Divisional Secretariat, explained that there was a proposal for a new hotel to be built on land adjacent to the post office, and if this was to be carried out, the services of the post office will be moved to a different location. “We will ensure that nothing happens to the building. Under the supervision of the Archaeological Department, necessary steps will be implemented to protect the building,” he said.
According to the Minister, 160 valuable buildings in Nuwara Eliya have been gazetted and will be protected.
Meanwhile, Post Master General Rohan Abeyratne stressed that it was only a proposal put forward by the Tourism Board.