‘Choon pan’ tourists are of no use: JVP

9 February 2013 11:36 am - 30 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe said at a meeting in Akuressa that though the government boasted of 2.5 million tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka by 2015 most of the tourists who come to the country now are hard up and depend on vendor - bakery vehicles (Choon Pan) for their meals.

“Our country needs tourists who can afford at least a 10-day stay in a five Star hotel which can generate job opportunities for a Chef, driver, waiter and room attendant not the poor ones who arrive today. Priority should be given to develop agriculture and grow trees. But it has become a non-profitable venture nowadays”, Mr. Amarasinghe added.

He said brothel houses were mushrooming in the country today.(S.K. Indrawansa)

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Comments - 30

sl expat Sunday, 10 February 2013 12:00 AM

I was shocked by the costs of hotels when I was in SL last Christmas. hotels I stayed at last year have TRIPLED in price . what the government needs to remember is that flights to SL are expensive compared to other holiday destinations. if they carry on like this we will lose tourists to Maldives/Thailand/Singapore and our economy will collapse. . via DM Android App

angel silva Tuesday, 12 February 2013 02:49 AM

Hey dont you feel happy that the local vendors get a chance to sell their items and make a bit more money. No tourism is free from prostitution ,booz and drugs.

Lalith Monday, 11 February 2013 07:35 AM

Somey sahodarayaa...we must support "Peeditha Panthiye Tourists"....practice what you preach!

raviraj Monday, 11 February 2013 05:47 AM

you and your outdated clan are against the rich and the west and India all the time, but want their tourist dollars.
If you want their money listen and do as they tell

jaya Monday, 11 February 2013 04:06 AM

There is a fundamental errors in the objectives of the Ministry of Tourism since they target no. of tourists arrival rather than the amount that they can earn as foreign exchange. Lack of knowledge in the planing with so many advisers.

Maha Monday, 11 February 2013 04:05 AM

wow, for a left wing leader who promotes equality?? and looking at the poor, it seems ur also dependent on rich capitalist tourists?? shame on u to say something like that...

Erin Monday, 11 February 2013 12:46 AM

Money for the country's economy is not depended on what type of tourist arrive with your attitude not only are you insulting the tourist and your arrogance will never make you a good politician.Politics is based on reaching out to the masses.Also SL has recovered from the horrible civil war and got back the tourist.How on earth did someone like you end up been in politics.How can you insults foreign tourist by your crudeness.SL was in the New York Times as the number 1 tourist destinstion.You need another job politicians like you are a source of embarrassment to the country.

Gamini Lindagedera Sunday, 10 February 2013 01:09 PM

You don't have to stop tourism to develop agriculture.

Virendra Sunday, 10 February 2013 10:48 AM

So is this guy happy if Sri Lanka loses these many tourists to other countries? India and Thailand hoteliers should start celebrating.

Up Sunday, 10 February 2013 09:06 AM

This type of tourists consume government subsidiary provided to Sri Lankans. Benefit only the AIr Lines. We have to learn many from Thailand.

gOBBAYA Sunday, 10 February 2013 08:33 AM

At least bakery owners and their poor staff will get the beneifit of it rather than it goes to hotel owned multi millionairs.I thought this loser is with the poor people in this country.again he is a big time loser.

Ann Sunday, 10 February 2013 07:22 AM

At least by buying from vendor - bakery vehicles they are providing business to these people

Phil Sunday, 10 February 2013 07:14 AM

The real question is who benefits. Does the money spent in a 5 star hotel benefit the people who need it most? Backpackers spend their money on people who benefit from it DIRECTLY. What percentage of the money spent at a 5 star place benefit its waiters and room cleaners?

SSK Sunday, 10 February 2013 06:42 AM

Somaya pissuwen dodawanawa.
He does,t like any single tourist coming to Sri Lanka whether they "Choon Pan" or a millioner
.

Ranish Sunday, 10 February 2013 12:00 AM

that's true! most or significant portion of so called tourists are those Chinese on the run and Indians looking for our money to fund their living. via DM Android App

LOL Saturday, 09 February 2013 12:00 AM

Quite ironical to expect tourists to stay at least 10 days in a 5 start hotel when the vast majority of the country's citizens can't even afford day-to-day living costs. via DM Android App

Puswedilla Sunday, 10 February 2013 12:00 AM

But then you will lament about capitalist system via DM Android App

Dee Saturday, 09 February 2013 05:19 PM

You are talking of some form of employment, not nessesarily at hotels, opportunities galore.

rumi Saturday, 09 February 2013 04:52 PM

what right do you have to speak about economy? you killed our youths and still creating division among university students.

you better go to Russia and settle down there.

ANDARE Saturday, 09 February 2013 04:25 PM

RATHU WANSA IS STILL LIVING IN A FOOL'S PARADISE!!!

Curious Saturday, 09 February 2013 04:11 PM

He has a point !

David Saturday, 09 February 2013 03:47 PM

Tourists come to Sri Lanka to expierence local street food too. They want to experience what locals eat. Most of them are tourists. If they wanted luxury food then they have it at where they live.

Sanjeewa Dubai Saturday, 09 February 2013 03:16 PM

This so called 2.5mil tourist ,is including the transit people and the guys who come to drop baggage ...this is good to fool the body balla sena...hip hip hooray to the jvp.....but what can you do....your life is on threat if you try bringing people to the road....wola

DN Saturday, 09 February 2013 03:08 PM

Good for bakeries.

IRC Rathana Saturday, 09 February 2013 02:58 PM

Choon pan of modachoon king kong.
Chawra raja in india with 70 thievs.

Viraj V Saturday, 09 February 2013 02:56 PM

Agree some truth in what he says.

sri lankan Saturday, 09 February 2013 02:52 PM

Soma aiya oyath ape rajathuma ekka fit wanna .. ethakota oyatath pacha wansa wage choon eke inna puluwang..

Nikanwansa Saturday, 09 February 2013 02:47 PM

Hai, shall we try to improve our agriculture based economy and chase the bl......y tourists out of the country ?

Nate Saturday, 09 February 2013 12:00 AM

These tourists are back packers. Sri lanka is getting popular among them. via DM Android App

gOBBAYA Saturday, 09 February 2013 02:03 PM

What a loser this man is,

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‘Choon pan’ tourists are of no use: JVP

Comments - 30

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