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Hoteliers unhappy over holiday shift

20 October 2012 03:15 am - 42     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Several hotels and guest houses in the South are said to be facing difficulties following the government’s decision to shift the public holiday in view of the Haj Festival from October 26 to October 27.

Owners of such hotels told the Daily Mirror that some of their clients were calling for a revision or cancellation of their bookings. They said clients who had booked rooms for October 26 now wanted to shift their bookings to October 27 which has triggered the problem since most rooms had been already booked by other clients for October 27.

They said some clients had cancelled their bookings and sought the return their advance payments.

Related link
Oct 27 is a Public and Bank holiday

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  Comments - 42

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  • senavi Saturday, 20 October 2012 05:52 PM

    all developed countries practice separation of religion and government

    kenney Saturday, 20 October 2012 11:53 AM

    this is basically base on a religious beleif.
    but we must respect other beleifs too. so the best decision is cancellation of the holiday. and provide it only for islamics. other case its not for private sector. therefore why cant cancell it.

    Anil Saturday, 20 October 2012 12:04 PM

    The day of the holiday was changed because the moon is to be seen one day later. It is a religious holiday based on the sighting of the moon and not based on what hoteliers want. Surely people can take a days leave and have a four day weekend.What is all this fuss about ?

    Shaik Ahamath Saturday, 20 October 2012 12:22 PM

    It says something when with the advanced state of technology and space exploration of today, we cannot predict a full-moon day in advance.

    gamunu Wijesinghe Saturday, 20 October 2012 12:36 PM

    What is the big deal? Why is it so important for hoteliers to be consulted over these issues? It is a matter for the Govt.

    Pottaya Saturday, 20 October 2012 12:59 PM

    What What? if government has to consult for each every action then why do we need a government...people should know how to adapt to situations, hotels should have business risk management...this is all in the game boss... for example when the essential goods price goes up it does affect everyone..so do you think that government should consult public for this? it's not government's mistake..it's business' mistakes...

    Curious Saturday, 20 October 2012 02:27 PM

    It is good move since Monday is another week day holiday for Poya. 27th being a Saturday it wont impact the productivity very much.

    Jesus Saturday, 20 October 2012 03:03 PM

    This country has enough holidays....people...when you walk in to a government institution ,these guys have holidays every day...these people who work in those institutions are public ublick wast.....

    Big Ears Saturday, 20 October 2012 03:19 PM

    ??????????
    Bad Android app?

    Mohomed Ahmed Saturday, 20 October 2012 04:29 PM

    I know lot of booking cancelled may be.....better times a head...if god wills.....

    Ali Saturday, 20 October 2012 05:20 PM

    So sad that Neil Armstrong is not around he would have showed the MOON.

    tweet@aqular27 Saturday, 20 October 2012 12:00 AM

    first arrest then give him 5star treatment.. because he is Minister's brother !! lol via DM Android App

    prasanna Sunday, 21 October 2012 04:34 AM

    So who cares ??

    michael Sunday, 21 October 2012 06:30 AM

    If Friday had been declared as holiday in the beginning of the year. Why change it now and put many people in inconvenience??? Saturday is anyhow a public holiday. Muslims have the right to celebrate according to their calendar.

    Shaun Taylor Sunday, 21 October 2012 09:13 AM

    Policies and decisions picked up from under-garments.

    K.Rushangan Sunday, 21 October 2012 09:29 AM

    Its all about Haj Holiday. If the Haj Celebration has changed on the basis of Muslims way of fixing things, then the holiday should be shifted for the betterment of the really needed people(here it is the Muslims who need this holiday). What all others who planned for the holiday is not the matter here. As one person well said,this is all about a day, not the end of the world.

    Lobo Sunday, 21 October 2012 12:27 PM

    What an exaggeration! Just because they lose one days bookings they are facing difficulties?

    Leslie H Wijesinghe Sunday, 21 October 2012 02:42 PM

    Tell U S A send missile to moon and destroy it then we don't have this type of problems again

    Sulaimaan Sunday, 21 October 2012 03:44 PM

    get your facts straight without throwing dirt at others, its only the arab world which celebrates on 26th. muslims exist all over the globe and the occasion is marked according to the lunar calendar which requires the sighting of the moon.

    south Sunday, 21 October 2012 04:30 PM

    dont worry we will start a strick over it.

    Jonny1 Monday, 22 October 2012 07:20 AM

    Senavi...go to a develop country,because this country will never develop cuz to much of racist people.

    Hussain Saturday, 20 October 2012 07:34 AM

    Shift of one day, is not the end of the world. Get a life all you complainers.

    chathuraepa Saturday, 20 October 2012 03:52 AM

    It is not good

    lalitha Saturday, 20 October 2012 03:53 AM

    GOSL doesnt think b4 doing anything expect when someone there can make money

    Rexy Saturday, 20 October 2012 04:05 AM

    Why this mess? What an inconvenience to the masses who have made arrangements for holidaying. It shows the inefficiency of the higher ups.

    Jesus Saturday, 20 October 2012 04:23 AM

    Poor guys.....

    Law Saturday, 20 October 2012 04:34 AM

    GOSL messes up everything. Z-score, university, Fuel and now tourism.

    K.V.Wajira Hemantha Saturday, 20 October 2012 04:57 AM

    This matter will effect for minority which has More money to spend in 5stars at week end ! Good move by Authorities....

    Thomas Saturday, 20 October 2012 05:10 AM

    Poor future planning by Finance ministry

    Dammika Saturday, 20 October 2012 06:52 AM

    Not only holidays .... whatever they do is a disaster

    unchikun Saturday, 20 October 2012 06:54 AM

    What is more important. An extra holiday to please small hotels or an extra working day?. Sri Lanka has far too many holidays.

    Nodrog Saturday, 20 October 2012 07:04 AM

    Typical of the ad-hoc policies of this Govt with never any thought to how their decisions will affect the public.

    Thomas Saturday, 20 October 2012 03:58 AM

    The GOSL does not think before doing something, should have consulted the tourism sector. Hotels & tour operators were advertising for well over a month packages covering these holidays & selling rooms. Have Friday as holiday as earlier decided.

    Sanjay Saturday, 20 October 2012 08:35 AM

    Maybe so but that should have been decided in advance not 1 week before the declared holiday

    anthare pora Saturday, 20 October 2012 09:06 AM

    @Thomas,

    Don't be silly. Its not decided by government. Muslims decide the Hajji date. Don't be anti government for everything every fart.

    Al Haj Fawzie Saturday, 20 October 2012 08:59 AM

    The Muslim world celebrates on the 26th of Oct- and our Muslim MInisters are just puppets over here.

    AMAR Saturday, 20 October 2012 09:09 AM

    Agreed.Why we need to complain for such thing.Government can't exactly predict such holidays.They need to depends. Just adjust and move forward.

    Thomas the Engine Saturday, 20 October 2012 09:25 AM

    This is very poor governing. Learn a lesson at least now.

    The Man Saturday, 20 October 2012 09:48 AM

    which is important,..
    increase the productivity of the whole country by one day or satisfy few hoteliers...?

    Jonny Saturday, 20 October 2012 09:46 AM

    Give money back . finish.

    Gadzooks Saturday, 20 October 2012 10:47 AM

    This sudden change in holiday date shows not the inefficiency of higher ups but the weather-vane character of an entire society that does not make dates and time high priorities. It is a cultural matter. Sudden changes of mind of this order DO have ramifications in those parts of the society that MUST observe dates and times, such as hotels that book rooms on the basis of when people thought they would be able to travel. You cannot have it both ways: a lunar calendar based on visual sightings and thus the need for flexibility, or a strict astronomical calendar that is rather precise and, in these circumstances, inflexible. Since it is not possible to please all of the people all of the time, the higher ups should have the visceral fortitude to hold the line and not change things at the last moment.

    tweet@aqular27 Saturday, 20 October 2012 12:00 AM

    yes yes !! more public and bank holidays please.. that's exactly what the Sri Lankan economy needs :-P via DM Android App


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