There is no
reason why Sri Lanka
should put all its cards on tourism, as the number one money maker. It should be kept in mind that tourism while it brings financial benefits , it
also brings innumerable social problems.
Sri Lanka
as a developing country which made much head way in the economic growth should consider for whose benefit the country is being developed. It is the
people of Sri Lanka
that should first benefit by the country's development.
Secondly,
the promoters of tourism should not be allowed to do so haphazardly, it should
be planned at the highest level and Parliamentary approval should be
obtained. That is to avoid the infiltration
of disadvantages, vice in all its different forms, and loss of moral values that could affect the country, socially and
culturally. Each time a new project is
commenced for tourist attraction, one has to consider how much it would be
beneficial to the country, what effect will it have on the people , to what
extent it will cause damage to the environment, to the culture and the social
fabric of the country, and whether such a project is really necessary.
There is a
sudden interest in night motor racing
first in Colombo and they are proposing to bring
it to Kandy. How many people are going to benefit from
this night racing project. Is it really necessary for the wellbeing of
the people. Is it a financially viable project that would bring in more money to the
country. What other benefits will it
have ? Should the village youth be made to
take an interest in night racing, and for what reason and for what benefit ? Have the organisers considered the atmospheric pollution, it would cause ? This is a sport of the rich. Is it really unnecessary to promote it in Sri Lanka ? It
would be in the interest of Sri
Lanka to stop motor car racing whether in
the day time or in the night.
If it is a
project promoted by Nimal Rajapakse, it could be understood as he is a modern,
fashionable young man rich enough to have his own racing car.
But he is not doing so with
foresight. If that is the case, the
President should intervene to stop it as it is a game of the rich and will not
benefit the country nor will it bring
more money from a few rich
western racing car pilots who will participate to make it another play
ground for the big names of sport
of car racing.
Another
project that is being talked about is opening of Casinos . There was one casino long time back in Kandy in Sri
Lanka.
It caused immense problems as people got addicted to games and spent all
their earnings in it. Many got into debt. It will be like the
liquor shops that have been opened in almost
every small town. The poor
people get ruined, families break up the poor take to prostitution. Is that what Sri Lanka wants ? It is the middle and the lower middle class
people who may get interested in Casinos and ruin themselves catching the virus of the Casino games.
There was
also a suggestion by a Member of the Parliament to open brothels. There are also such houses already going on
unchecked under different business names .
The leaders should take into account falling of moral standards, crime
against women, child rape, and molestation of tourists.
Back in Sri Lanka I was
told how in a private textile weaving centres, the owner uses the working girls
for prostitution. There was a time when
special sex tourisms were organised by some tour operators in some Western
countries, where the rich retired old men
were taken to Philippines
for sex with minors. Tourism should not
therefore be hailed as the ideal money maker.
Eagle Golf
link is the fourth golf link functioning
in Sri Lanka.
Is that a necessity ? How many Sri Lankans
gain from having golf links. It also caters
to the rich and well to do western
tourist. How many tourists come to play golf in Sri
Lanka, and how many in SrI Lanka take to playing golf.
There appears to be a mix up of priorities.
Every such project has money as the objective , without considering
advantages and disadvantages that come along
with such ventures.
It is the
same with developing beach resorts for
sea surfing. It should be made a normal tourist attraction without
making it a special attraction for competition surfing. Some Sri Lanka beaches are ideal for
Surfing, but one should not promote them for international competition standard.
The Sri Lanka’s
ancient tanks were built by our kings to
provide farmers water for their farming lands.
Therefore no ancient tank should
be turned into a tourist attraction for boat riding and surfing.
Hotels are
coming up like mushrooms and all hotel rooms are not occupied. The room rates are too high for local
tourists. The West is having an economic
crisis and the western tourists tend to spend less. Therefore, it is wise to slow down on development
of the tourist Sector.
There are other important things that have
still not been attended to such as settling down the Sinhala IDPs in Jaffna, which has been
long delayed. The Government should also start Sinhala settlements in the north
and east before it is too late.
Tourism is
not well planned each one seems to have one’s own idea of tourism. What do the
tourist coming from abroad want ? Do
they want a home away from home ? Of
course they would like to enjoy the beauty of nature. See how the people
live and relax in a sunny beach. But meal wise do they want the same wines
they drink at home ? Do they want hard liquor Whisky, Brandy, Martini, Gin
etc., they find back home ? They could easily
be substituted by Sri Lanka
beer, and Arrack.
Why cannot
Sri Lanka offer the tourist a real Sri Lankan holiday, without liquor simple
Sri Lanka meals, preferably vegetarian, and fish (less
beef and chicken), accompanied
with tea ? Serve coconut juice
and other fruit juices instead of expensive wines.
What is
important is the comfort in rooms secure un-interfered relaxation in the hotel
premises. They should be provided security when travelling. The Tourist Department should think out ways of providing tourists with different facilities than those they have in
the countries from where they come, but substitute those with exotic Sri Lankan
facilities. Make the tourists feel that
they are living their holiday in Sri Lanka which is different in
every respect from where they have come.
There had
been reports of many attacks on tourists lately. The tourist board should train special
security officers for the safety of the tourists. Many brawls that end up seriously are the
results of consumption of excessive liquor by the locals, who are allowed in to
hotels. Tourists have their limits and
know how to consume liquor. It is the
locals who have to be controlled
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