DNA slams IIFA outcome

6 June 2010 07:31 am - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

By Kelum Bandara

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) said today that the much hyped Indian International Film Festival (IIFA) had become an ‘utter cropper’ even with President Mahinda Rajapaksa not attending the event.

Addressing a press conference, DNA General Secretary MP Vijitha Herath said that the government initially estimated the cost for the mega event at Rs. 450 million, but it eventually rose to Rs. 600 million. Mr. Herath said that the desired targets could not be achieved by the government even at the disposal of such a colossal amount of public money.

“The President also did not attend the event. Leading stars such as Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai did not also come. We do not oppose a grand festival being held. Yet, the government must be able to achieve the desired objectives. This festival is like a wedding without the bride and the groom. They have spent Rs. 600 million for the occasion alone. It is not money that is well-spent,” he said.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 16

Sunday, 06 June 2010 07:48 AM

What else can they do towards the betterment of the country other than criticize?

Sunday, 06 June 2010 07:49 AM

The Sri Lankan tourism needs focused marketing and development ,not IIFA like ad hoc tamazas. We could have spent this money on infrastructure development in tourist destination which we need badly. We could have spent on professional hospitality management edication.The goverment should take whole responsiblity for this utter disaster. This event was arranged to divert the growing public disatisfaction towards goverment.
The story of tourism development in this magnificent country is an internationally famous comedy story. As a person from hospitality and tourism industry, i have an inside view of the tourism. Our tourism development bodies are full of amateurs. The goverment does not have a focuss. Only we can do is sit and watch these nonsense.

Sunday, 06 June 2010 07:58 AM

This type of evnts should organize well in advance.They have taken the decision in March with Rush.This is real waste of coman man's money.This could be orgnize only with the sponsors money. .Didn't have the time to plan and advertise to get reduce the cost and get the publicity for the event as well as to the country.Don't know how much of money gone to the pockets of both Indian and Sri Lanken organizers.

Sunday, 06 June 2010 08:05 AM

Well said Mano, This would have spent on development in north but what can we expect from this gov.

Sunday, 06 June 2010 08:05 AM

Where you were before the festival? Normall you always behave in this manner trying find only the disadvantagous. What actions taken to make that function so called success.
If the said leading stars participated, still you may have negative comments. You are the experts on negative comments all the time.

Sunday, 06 June 2010 08:06 AM

Govt has spent about 600 million Rupees. Whose money? It is the Tax Payers money which has gone to waste. These money could have best spent on the poor people who had lost their homes in the recent floods and land slides. What about that money that was spent on food for the Brunch that MR spent at the Temple Trees for Indian Stars that did not show up? The Govt should answer at the next budget.

Sunday, 06 June 2010 08:10 AM

as usual! Cant they see the good side at least once. Pathetic!!

Sunday, 06 June 2010 08:13 AM

These events must take place and its not anyones fault that SRK or AB didnt participate. They had their own reasons. Aamir never goes to any award ceremonies. Ash for obvious reasons. SL authorities did their best. So cannot blame anyone. Its good that JVP didnt object this at all.

Sunday, 06 June 2010 08:13 AM

MP, you are doing the job of a usual fault finders with "oppose to everything" mentality. Silly you...

Monday, 07 June 2010 04:15 AM

bla bla bla.......

Monday, 07 June 2010 04:28 AM

have you forgotten who benefited from the IIFA cricket match? Too bad you just open your mouth to criticize everything.

Monday, 07 June 2010 04:35 AM

The sad part of the story is the Sri Lankan artistes were not given their due place.

Monday, 07 June 2010 04:36 AM

hah hah haaa....... Real JVP....

Monday, 07 June 2010 06:31 AM

Sour grapes. All the JVP can do is to hoot from the sidelines.

Monday, 07 June 2010 06:33 AM

Yes Sure,
No Sharukh Khan, No Amithabh, No Rajinikanth....
So How Can they expect their Desired Target?

Monday, 07 June 2010 06:59 AM

As a srilankan currently overseas I have been reading papers /mags for last 03 days all talking about this event & what a success it was! Seeing the pics I was amazed wow!! If the world media said it’s a resounding success does it matter what a political party in SL says? These are sour looses! I was in tears both happy & sad. Happy that SL has been positively put on world map & sad I was not in SL to catch a glimpse of the beauties who came! What a show, well done!

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

DNA slams IIFA outcome

Comments - 16

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

New Visa procedure implemented

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

MIRROR CRICKET

TODAY'S HEADLINES