VIP among local guests asked to vacate newly certified Level 1 hotels in SL

5 March 2021 08:16 am - 15 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A VIP is among long-staying local guests asked to vacate newly certified Level 1 hotels in and around Colombo, Daily Mirror learns.

Travel industry sources said that following a warning issued by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) the long-staying local guests were asked to leave as the hotels they were staying in have been certified as Level 1 Safe and Secure hotels.

Over 100 hotels in Sri Lanka have so far been certified as Level 1 Safe and Secure hotels.

Daily Mirror learns that a former Parliamentarian and well-known businessman who was staying in one such hotel was asked to leave before the end of his booking.

The hotel made the request after some media and the SLTDA came to know of the VIP staying at the hotel despite the hotel being certified as Level 1 Safe and Secure.

Locals are not allowed to stay at Level 1 Safe and Secure certified hotels under the coronavirus health guidelines, as it will be exclusive to foreign travellers.(EASWARAN RUTNAM)

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Comments - 15

Tom jones Friday, 05 March 2021 08:27 AM

Reveal his name, I’ll gotten wealth of the poor masses.Lankan’s are brown and dark. Therefore they are not suitable to mix up with whites. Apartheid. Poor Sri Lankan’s cannot go to hotels in their own country. Tragic.

Gert Jan, the Netherlands Friday, 05 March 2021 11:32 AM

Totally agree with you. But I am sorry to say that I never experienced so much racism as when I was living in Sri Lanka. Not even when I was living in the USA. I am mixed race( black Surinam father)

Kaluwa Friday, 05 March 2021 08:48 AM

Are there foreign tourists??

poor lankan Friday, 05 March 2021 08:58 AM

srilankans last ...stupido

Aussie Friday, 05 March 2021 11:28 AM

We stay at home

Rajindra Ariyabandu Friday, 05 March 2021 12:51 PM

This is the only country in the world that restrict locals from using hotels where tourist are allowed to stay. Please look at other countries like Thailand and respect the rights of locals to enjoy the same benefits. We are perpetuating apartheid. Shame on you SLTDA. Raj

Riyaz Friday, 05 March 2021 01:13 PM

Stupidity at its peak. Foreigners, dual citizens and Sri Lankan’s with a foreign spouse can stay at a Level 1 hotel and enjoy walking around the hotel, using the gym, buffer etc. However if you are only a Sri Lankan passport holder it’s a 14 day forced lock up in a room.

Dora Friday, 05 March 2021 05:49 PM

We stay home. No vaccines also for us despite being over sixty with underlying health issues.

Kumar Friday, 05 March 2021 10:09 PM

I live in the US and they vaccinated elderly first. Unlike in Sri Lanka they never dump the locals for foreign tourists.

Lasith Friday, 05 March 2021 08:19 PM

Not true Riyaz, One of my friends with DUAL citizenship is currently enjoying a lovely hotel in Kandy but confined to a room for 14 days.

dickie bird Friday, 05 March 2021 08:22 PM

If this VIP is a tax paying individual its fine to occupy or else IRD will need to call for a wealth declaration. was it a status cuo or show of wealth or connections?

Jeeves Friday, 05 March 2021 08:24 PM

Much speculation about local hotels being exclusively for foreigners only! Let's hope that these are only temporary measures to prevent imported Covid strains infecting Sri Lankans.

Lanka putha Friday, 05 March 2021 08:44 PM

Good one. So people please start saving Chinese currency from now

Nihal Fernando Friday, 05 March 2021 08:58 PM

Let the VIP stay, no tourist is coming with all these STUPID rules imposed by SLTDA.

Rukshan Jayaratna Saturday, 06 March 2021 05:04 AM

Who are these expats commenting here. Do you even know what a Level 1 hotel is.? Please read the reopening Sri Lanka strategy document before commenting.

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VIP among local guests asked to vacate newly certified Level 1 hotels in SL

Comments - 15

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