New Tourism Minister rushes to London

6 November 2018 06:30 am - 50 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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In the wake of travel advisories issued by some countries because of the current political unrest in the country, 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) let 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.

Referring to UNP MP Navin Dissanayake saying the Constitution would be amended to make it compulsory for the President to consult the Speaker for the prorogation of Parliament, he asked why the UNP did not do it during the past three years and added that it was nothing but opportunism.

“People will express their feelings. We are telling our people not to be provoked. Talks of bloodshed were made to destabilise the country, whose image we want to protect,” Prof. Peiris said. (Kelum Bandara)

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Comments - 50

Gen X Tuesday, 06 November 2018 07:47 AM

I was against undemocracy acts, but now I believe this man RW deserves to be thrown out of his PM office for all these betrayel acts he has been doing from the past to the present.. in the end it is the people of this great nation will suffer from these consiquesnces which comes by theses betraying false statements by this RW and the his close mates... he would do anything to survive in power regardless of the cost of it to the country..

vasaliya Tuesday, 06 November 2018 11:43 AM

Ohh!!! And what others do to grab power at the cost of the country is no problem to you????

Mandayan Tuesday, 06 November 2018 11:48 AM

Did he get the visa?

Lankaboy Tuesday, 06 November 2018 03:51 PM

This Guy is not going plug even single hair. He know his appointment is short lived. He want to get some fun ride

Aney Tuesday, 06 November 2018 05:21 PM

Without RW's support, MS would have been nowere. Now he will have nowhere to go other than to Elon Musks' car in space!!!

Unchikun Tuesday, 06 November 2018 07:50 AM

A novice sent to persuade the UK government to reverse the travel warning. Shows the governess we will have.

Jagath Leanage Tuesday, 06 November 2018 11:40 AM

He has gone there to deposit money (foreign currency) he got .

Arnold Tuesday, 06 November 2018 07:50 AM

Joy rides funded by our tax money started already. Oh I almost forgot the 500 million!!

Gihann Tuesday, 06 November 2018 07:51 AM

Yes, gone to deposit his cash offshore somewhere!

Janaya Tuesday, 06 November 2018 07:52 AM

With Rajs controlling, what else do you expect!!!?

Andy Capp Tuesday, 06 November 2018 07:53 AM

Will he come back!!?

RuwanL Tuesday, 06 November 2018 07:56 AM

The "blood bath" story came from Ranil in his interview with Al Jazeera . This very irresponsible of a former PM

MODA BURUWA Tuesday, 06 November 2018 11:17 AM

Is telling the TRUTH irresponsible . Or DANCING while ROME is burning is it you want.

Alex Tuesday, 06 November 2018 07:57 AM

Senanayaka and his team will be distributing handbills on the streets of England requesting tourists to come to SL.

Palugaswewa Tuesday, 06 November 2018 08:10 AM

It is not a wise move at this hour and I find the action is premature. We could have waited until the things get settled and the political atmosphere becomes calm-in the eyes of foreign countries. The new minister has jumped the gun may be to settle some personal matters in England.

ANTON Tuesday, 06 November 2018 08:10 AM

MOST OF THE TOURISTS ARE COMING FROM INDIA, PAKISTAN AND OTHER SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES, WHY THE HELL HE WAS SENT TO LONDON.

jay k - hatton Tuesday, 06 November 2018 11:28 AM

from india

Keeraipidi Tuesday, 06 November 2018 05:22 PM

India, Pakistan and other Asian countries?It seems because of the rupee is more valuable than the dollars, pounds and euros!

Hocus Pocus Tuesday, 06 November 2018 08:11 AM

Ha ha in a rush to deposit the money!

Ajja Tuesday, 06 November 2018 08:14 AM

The situation has erupted because of 3rd grade action by the President.He is responsible for this chaotic situation.Now MR has no option but to bang the drum he has tighten over....

samayang Tuesday, 06 November 2018 08:14 AM

There they go, the migratory birds. We thought it was going to be different at least now.

Gemunu Tuesday, 06 November 2018 08:16 AM

Overseas countries will ban travel to and trading with Sri Lanka, completely when this traitor talks to them. Any way, why this Patriotic Sri Lankans panic now? They didn't like westerners visiting Sri Lanka.

Samson Tuesday, 06 November 2018 08:17 AM

Who in London will recognise this man.

Meg Tuesday, 06 November 2018 08:18 AM

Hope your flights will not be adversely affected by thunder and lightening.

666 Tuesday, 06 November 2018 08:19 AM

Making hay while the sun shines.

Desha Tuesday, 06 November 2018 08:20 AM

Sending this traitor to UK indicates that MR and MS have no plans to re-convene the parliament in the near future.

West Tuesday, 06 November 2018 08:23 AM

Now only MR has realized the importance of Western countries.

Wijebahu Tuesday, 06 November 2018 08:23 AM

To deposit his ill gotten money?

dulan Tuesday, 06 November 2018 08:24 AM

What can this joker do?

Buddhist Tuesday, 06 November 2018 08:43 AM

Was Wasantha scared that his money in the London Bank, I mean the bribe, will be frozen?

MODA BURUWA Tuesday, 06 November 2018 06:55 PM

FROZEN - Yes , Its FREEZING cold in London now.

voted Tuesday, 06 November 2018 08:55 AM

Damage control or choon sawari.....

jack Tuesday, 06 November 2018 08:57 AM

Interesting to see how the world will respond to this so called minister from unlawful government !

Roman Tuesday, 06 November 2018 09:50 AM

London or British Virgin Islands?

Roger Tuesday, 06 November 2018 11:15 AM

You are a disgrace to to your forefathers. What do you know about tourism? And a jog ride on our money

J- Hatton Tuesday, 06 November 2018 11:34 AM

Western countries are not blind to accept of what the minister going to explain. The concern is on credibility of the president of what he promised to the world as president in 2015 which the int'l community had a high expectation on SL delivering promises based on democratic values. This cheap behavior of president is the highest concern to anyone who respect policies.

Dee Tuesday, 06 November 2018 11:41 AM

Are you coming back with a resignation letter?

sandy123 Tuesday, 06 November 2018 12:13 PM

In SL politics any miracle can happen?

vasaliya Tuesday, 06 November 2018 11:46 AM

Make sure you fly a reputed airline. With all the curses hanging in the air, flight might crash!!!!

rikiroxs Tuesday, 06 November 2018 11:56 AM

Let the Game Begin

Godfrey Tuesday, 06 November 2018 02:55 PM

It appears they are more worried about the white mans money than the black mans blood

Tom jones Tuesday, 06 November 2018 03:33 PM

Looks like wasantha is trying to avoid attending parliament on 14.11.2018.

MODA BURUWA Tuesday, 06 November 2018 06:03 PM

He will apply for Political Assylum in UK .

inti Tuesday, 06 November 2018 03:41 PM

Soon to deposit the money in family names.

rohan david Tuesday, 06 November 2018 03:46 PM

Please give up your family name

Gemunu Tuesday, 06 November 2018 04:40 PM

Please do not resign and come back to UNF like Manusha did. People want you to resign and go home.

MODA BURUWA Tuesday, 06 November 2018 06:02 PM

FOR GOOD .

Ananda Tuesday, 06 November 2018 06:21 PM

Washantha should be strip searched when he comes back to SL at the airport by customs as he may be carrying ill gotten money on him.

sas Tuesday, 06 November 2018 07:44 PM

Good for Wasantha. He can enjoy the UK visit.That is why he crossed over.

Busted Tuesday, 06 November 2018 09:09 PM

This foreign trip gone on public funds. When people in tourism industry is trying to promote ourselves at WTM in UK (world tourism Market) Lonely planet named Sri Lanka as the number one destination for 2019.Great timing for our President to have a brain fart.

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New Tourism Minister rushes to London

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